A
ancestor, a family member from whom you have descended
ancient, very old
Apache, a tribe of North American Indians of New Mexico and Southwestern United States

B
basic, main, of first importance
Barboncito, a Navajo Indian leader who with 19 other Navajo leaders signed a new treaty with the United States in 1868 allowing the tribe to return to their land in Arizona and New Mexico
Blessingway, a Navajo ceremony blessing a marriage, a home, a long happy life, crops, and other ventures
boundaries, the outer limits of an area; its borders on all sides

C
canyon, very deep, narrow area surrounded by high cliffs
Kit Carson, an early frontiersman, guide, and Indian fighter who led United States troops in forcing more than 8,000 Navajos off their land
Century, a period of 100 years
ceremony, a special celebration or ritual for a notable occasion
common, most usual, same, seen most often
conservative, traditional, those who would not accept or welcome changes
continuously, lasting a long time, happening without stop
convert, to change completely, to turn to another form as a religion
cornmeal, coarsely ground corn kernels used in making bread
crafts, handmade items made by special skills in art and workmanship
customs, practices carried on for a long time

D
Dine, Navajo Indian word meaning people

E
emerged, came out of, arose, came into view
explorer, one who searches, travels in an unknown territory

F
fabric, the cloth used in making garments

G

H
harvest, gather in, as crops, when fully ripened
history, a branch of learning that deals with the past events of a people, a territory, or any particular subject
hogan, an earth covered house of the Navajo Indian
homespun, coarse cloth, blankets, rugs and the like made from wool yarn spun and woven in the home.
Holy People, supernatural beings whom the Navajo Indians believe watch over life
Hopi, a North American Indian tribe of northeastern Arizona

I
influence, put pressure on to accept changes by using power, example, or inspiration

J

K

L
language, the spoken or written method of communicating among people of the same community or cultural background
legends, popular stories handed down through generations, whether true or fanciful
loom, a machine or device for interweaving yarn or thread into cloth

M
mesa, Spanish word meaning "table". Seen most often in Southwest states – high, flat land formation with sharp, steep sides, appearing like a table
mound, a small hill

N
Narbona, a great Navajo leader of the 1800's
Navajo, largest tribe of North American Indians settled in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah

O

P
pottery, containers or dishes made of moistened clay, hardened by heat
preserve, to keep, to hold on to
proud, feeling satisfied for having accomplished something; having high regard for one’s importance; self respect
Pueblo, an Indian tribe of the southwestern states and Mexico
pueblo, Spanish work meaning town or people

Q

R
reservation, a land area designated for the use of a particular Indian tribe
ritual, usual way of performing a ceremony; manner in which an act is practiced

S
sacred, holy, revered, pure
sandpainting, drawings made with colored powder sprinkled over a layer of sand
supernatural beings, Holy People the Navajo believe to exist beyond the natural world with superior powers
survive, to continue to live after some serious problem or event

T
trading post, a store where early settlers traded or bartered for supplies or local products
traditional, customary; cultural behavior, speech, or practices handed down through generations
treaty, an agreement between two or more tribes or nations
tribal council, leaders or officials who protect the interest of the tribe
turquoise, a brilliant blue-green gemstone

U

V
valleys, the low points between mountain ranges, often with a stream or river running at their bottom

W

X

Y

Z
 

 

 

created on April 15, 1998

edited on April 22, 1998
by Pam Eck,  IUPUI