American Studies Blog 3

 http://www.chemehuevi.net

       

   

According to the Colorado River Indian Reservation, “The Colorado River Indian Tribes includes four distinct Tribes - the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo. There are currently 4,070 active Tribal members.” I will look to explore the Chemehuevi tribe and what identifies them, as well as what has made them successful. The Chemehuevi tribe currently live in California and Arizona and speak the Colorado Rice Numic language. “Chemehuevi” can mean “those who play with fish” in Mojave, or “nose-in-the-air-like-a-roadrunner” in Quechan.

In reference to the website, in 1853 the people lost their lands to the Federal Government and declared their land as public domain. This caused the people to scatter and they didn’t reunite until 1885, in the Chemehuevi Valley. They were later established in the Chemehuevi Valley Reservation in 1907, which protected 36,000 acres of their homeland. However, some tribal members were still relocated. The tribes saw difficulty within the next few years, especially with floodgates being closed and 8,000 acres of lands being drowned in 1940. Consequently, this caused disturbance with the government and it took thirty years for the government to reinstate the people as the Chemehuevi Tribe in 1970. As of today the Reservation is 32,000 acres of trust land.

Back in the nineteenth century, a lot of tribes were witnessing land removal. Most famously, in 1864, with the Sand Creek massacre. There settlers where having difficulties with the government, which caused a violent reaction. In particular there was one massacre where around 200 to 500 old men, women and children were murdered. This was at a period of war in America. At this time the Civil War was on going and this hounded Indians into Western areas and reservations. The Civil War further accelerated development of railroads, farming and gold, this only pushed the Indigenous people and the white people further apart from each other.

The website itself has a modern feel and layout. There are many different sections to the website and it is easily accessible. Initially the page has “Explore Chemehuevi” stating that they have a “rich culture”, this is particularly interesting as like Campbell and Keane suggest, “thus, until recently, Native Americans … have been silenced in history by a process that has denied them an authoritative historical voice.” Therefore, now that it seen as a more accepted topic of conversation, the tribe wish to inform readers immediately on their history when entering the site. The page then moves to the “Chemehuevi Tribal Calendar” and finished with the “Havasu Landing Resort and Casino”. This then leads onto its own website which is not untypical of a tribe as it is an easy way of making money, as they are independent of the State authority. Implicating why the tribe are successful, as they have a secure income.

(Image: "The Sand Creek Massacre" by Robert Lidneaux)

This particular tribe seems to contradict the typical tribe lifestyle. It seems successful within its ways and has firmly established itself within America today. There are links to clinics and education help, as well as housing, environmental and water departments. In reference to Campbell and Keane, like many tribes they are “sources of cultural strength and assertion.” Almost implying that these individuals are inspiring for the rest of America.