The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians represent a vibrant and resilient community deeply rooted in the history and landscape of the American Southwest. As members of the larger Southern Paiute Nation, they are a federally recognized tribe, possessing a unique cultural heritage and a strong commitment to preserving their traditions for future generations. This article delves into the history, culture, governance, and contemporary life of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, offering a comprehensive overview of this significant Native American tribe.
Official Identity and Contact Information:
The official tribal name is the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians of the Kaibab Indian Reservation, a designation that underscores their connection to their ancestral lands. The tribal administration is located at Tribal Admin Bldg #1, North Pipe Spring Rd., Fredonia, AZ 86022. They can be reached by phone at 928-643-7245, by fax at 888-939-3777, or via email at info@kaibabpaiute-nsn.gov. The tribe maintains an official website at http://www.kaibabpaiute-nsn.gov/, which serves as a valuable resource for information about their programs, services, and cultural initiatives.
Recognition and Nomenclature:
The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians hold the distinction of being a federally recognized tribe. Their traditional name, Kai’vi’vits, reflects their deep connection to the Kaibab Plateau, a prominent geographical feature within their ancestral territory. Another traditional term, E’nengweng, translates to "ancestral people," a reference to the ancient inhabitants of the Southwest who lived between 500 and 1100 years ago and whose presence is evidenced by archaeological sites and rock art throughout the region.
Geographic Location and Territory:
Historically, the Kaibab Paiute inhabited a vast territory encompassing parts of present-day Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Today, their primary land base is the Kaibab Indian Reservation, situated on the Arizona Strip, approximately 50 miles north of the Grand Canyon. The reservation spans 120,413 acres and is home to five tribal villages. The non-Indian community of Moccasin and the Pipe Spring National Monument are also located within the reservation’s boundaries. The tribe operates within the Mountain Time Zone.
Demographics and Enrollment:
While the population at the time of European contact is difficult to ascertain with precision, the 2000 Census recorded 233 enrolled members of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. Tribal enrollment requirements are specific to the tribe and reflect their criteria for citizenship and belonging.
Governance and Political Structure:
The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians operate under a constitution established in 1934 as part of the Indian Reorganization Act. This act aimed to promote tribal self-governance and economic development. The tribe is governed by a Tribal Council, comprised of five members and executive officers, including a Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Elections are conducted on a staggered basis, ensuring continuity in leadership. Constitutional amendments, such as Amendment No. 1 ratified on May 29, 1965, reflect the tribe’s evolving needs and priorities.
Language and Cultural Heritage:
The Kaibab Paiute language belongs to the Numic branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family. While the number of fluent speakers has declined over time, the tribe is actively engaged in language revitalization efforts to preserve and promote their linguistic heritage. Oral traditions play a vital role in transmitting cultural knowledge, history, and values from one generation to the next.
Origins and Ancestry:
According to Kaibab Paiute oral traditions, their traditional territory is their place of origin. These stories recount how Coyote brought them to this land in a sack, underscoring the deep spiritual connection between the people and their environment.
Relationships with Other Tribes:
The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians are related to other Southern Paiute bands and tribes, as well as to Shoshone groups. These relationships are based on shared linguistic and cultural heritage, as well as historical interactions and alliances.
Traditional Culture and Practices:
Historically, the Kaibab Paiute practiced a subsistence lifestyle that combined hunting, gathering, and small-scale farming. Their deep understanding of the desert environment enabled them to utilize a wide range of plants, animals, and minerals for food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and spiritual purposes. The yucca plant, for example, was a particularly versatile resource, providing materials for soap, shoes, fuel, rope, and food.
Seasonal dances and games were important forms of leisure and social interaction. Gambling was a common activity among adults, particularly during gatherings of different bands and tribes. Children’s games often served an educational purpose, teaching them essential skills and knowledge.
Housing consisted of temporary dwellings called kahn, constructed from trees and brush. These structures provided shelter from the sun, wind, and cold, but daily activities typically took place outdoors.
Spiritual Beliefs and Worldview:
Kaibab Paiute spirituality emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things, including plants, animals, humans, mountains, rocks, and water. All natural objects are believed to possess a life force and power that can be harnessed for healing and well-being if approached with respect and reverence.
Traditional protocols dictate that individuals should speak to a plant before harvesting it, explaining its intended use and ensuring that its spirit is treated with respect. Similar protocols apply to the hunting of animals, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and offerings to the animal’s spirit. The spirits of the mountains are seen as caretakers of the animals, and hunters must show gratitude for their success.
Economy and Contemporary Life:
Today, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians are engaged in a variety of economic activities, including operating a gasoline station and convenience store, cattle ranching, sport hunting licensing and guiding, and a public R.V. park and campground. The tribe also leases administrative office space to the National Park Service for Pipe Spring National Monument. The tribal government is a significant employer, providing jobs for approximately 40 people.
Points of Interest:
Pipe Spring National Monument offers visitors a glimpse into the history and culture of the Kaibab Paiute people. The monument features a historic fort, a natural spring, and exhibits on the tribe’s history and traditions.
Tribe History:
The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians believe that the E’nengweng were their ancestors. They connect to them through Tumpee’po’-ohp – petroglyphs (pictures pecked into stone) and pictographs (pictures painted on stone). The places where these pictures are found are revered. The early Paiutes continued the tradition of rock writing.
Certain families owned, or were in charge of, specific springs and farming areas. Extended families and their kinship band had larger areas where they seasonally hunted and gathered. Beyond the family and local group there were several levels or layers of leadership.
Territories were agreed upon between bands. Each territory contained nearly all of the resources necessary for the complex lifestyle of the People. They did, however, regularly travel into other territories to gather certain plants or minerals. This travel resulted in contact, trade and intermarriage with the other Paiute bands and different tribes. Cultural traditions and practices were exchanged and passed on – including basketry, songs and dances, and various beliefs.
The Kaibab Paiute passed on to their children and grandchildren their beliefs that they were to care for and nurture the land, which fed, cured and clothed them. They believed that when they were created they were given the right to use, and the duty to protect, the lands and resources. If plants and animals weren’t harvested and used appropriately, they would disappear and be gone from the People forever.
Knowledge was gained and passed on by and through the person who needed it and used it. Not everyone knew everything. This kept family members dependent upon each other and increased respect for individuals. Knowledge was passed on gradually over time. A lifetime of apprenticeship was the normal process for passing on the complex knowledge of an elder.
The division of labor placed various tasks in the hands of the most skilled. Men worked to prepare the ground before planting; both men and women tended the fields; women were responsible for the harvest. Men hunted, after which the women in camp identified the most needy and distributed the meat accordingly. Women made all the food, clothing and baskets. The building of the family home, the kahn, was generally a joint effort.
The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century while upholding their cultural values and traditions. Their resilience, adaptability, and commitment to self-determination are a testament to their enduring spirit.