Where are native American reservations? (Phoenix, Tucson: hotels, house, casinos)

[alexgh90]

I'll be driving to the west coast , maily Arizona and New Mexico area in April 2011 and wanted to know where I can find Native American reservations? I live in Chicago area and this will be my second trip to those two states , and this time I really want to sort of live in the Indian tribe for a week or two if possible. I don't even know if the natives will allow this or not. But does anyone know the exact area?
Thank you.

[azdr0710]

see if this works for you:

Arizona Tribal Lands and Reservations - Maps | Region 9: Air | US EPA

click on it a couple times for, possibly, an even bigger map....the "BIA" parts are the reservation lands....

there are several different reservations for the various tribes....you almost certainly will not be able to "live" among the natives, but you can drive thru most of the lands, stop in at "trading posts", camp at public campgrounds, and observe the various residents going about their normal day....there are hotels on several of the reservations oriented toward tourists....most natives are somewhat quiet, passive, shy, not outwardly friendly.....you may want to visit Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "shay"), the Skywalk at the west part of the Grand Canyon, the Hopi mesas, casinos, and many other attractions....

you will probably not see quaint scenes of natives weaving a rug, herding sheep, or carving a kachina amid spectacular scenery - unless you pay for the photo op....most residents live in generic govt.-built housing, not teepees or hogans!....."authentic" scenes exist, but they are at the end of a long dirt road and probably involve trespassing or similar.....some areas exhibit evidence of poverty and neglect.....

lots of info via google....

[coatimundi]

This is a common request from tourists, and the answer is pretty much "no." Native Americans are generally open to explaining segments of their culture, traditions and history, but will generally not share these now-limited events with tourists except in limited, organized events, such as pow-wows, the Yaqui deer dancers in Tucson, the festivals at the Acoma Pueblo, etc. Very few remnants of the traditional lifestyles still exist anyway so, your idea of how Native Americans is likely far from how they actually live today.
It's important also that you learn to not generalize Native Americans in any way. Tribes and nations have distinct cultures, traditions and, most importantly, identities.
I think your first step should be visiting some of the lands, seeing the tourist sites, maybe go to one of the festivals or rodeos they do, and just talk to people there. Also, when you come here, get to the Heard Museum in Phoenix and/or the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology in Albuquerque. Both have excellent exhibits on the diversity of Native American cultures in the Southwest. Doing this will give you a much better sense and understanding of who they are and where they're coming from.
Having said all of that, there are opportunities to spend a night in a hogan, which is a traditional Dine (Navajo) dwelling. I wouldn't consider this "living like an Indian," since no Dine live in hogans any longer (they use them for solely ceremonial purposes usually), and it's very much a tourist thing, but it may be enjoyable for you. Just Google "stay in a hogan" and you'll find some info on it.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by alexgh90

I'll be driving to the west coast , maily Arizona and New Mexico area in April 2011 and wanted to know where I can find Native American reservations? I live in Chicago area and this will be my second trip to those two states , and this time I really want to sort of live in the Indian tribe for a week or two if possible. I don't even know if the natives will allow this or not. But does anyone know the exact area?
Thank you.

You've gotten lots of good advice here. It would also be wise to check any condescension in your tone or attitude when speaking to/about indigenous people, as they may very well bristle at an outsider wanting to "live in an Indian tribe" for a week. After all, this is 2011, and this is real life, not a scene from Dances With Wolves. Enjoy your visit!

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by alexgh90

I'll be driving to the west coast , maily Arizona and New Mexico area in April 2011 and wanted to know where I can find Native American reservations? I live in Chicago area and this will be my second trip to those two states , and this time I really want to sort of live in the Indian tribe for a week or two if possible. I don't even know if the natives will allow this or not. But does anyone know the exact area?
Thank you.

There are motels all over the Res so pick one. Unless you go to a tourist spot don't expect much different than any other place. You could go up and camp on the Gila, and see the poverty, or go to San Xavier Del Bac. The mission is great, the fry bread good and the poverty will surround you. Also try Guadalupe by Tempe. What you see is what it is, and you are right in town. Several motels and hotels nearby.

You can't hardly swing a dead cat from side to side in Arizona and New Mexico without hitting a reservation. The best bet to live among the people is to volunteer for a mission trip.

[alexgh90]

Thank you so much to , azdr0710 , coatimundi , kimballette , steve pickering , for all the valuble advices and all the lessons yet to be learned. Let me tell you a little about myself , not too long ago I posted a thread in " people search " with the title " have you seen her " and I think its still there about me meeting a girl on the ineternet which turned out to be a scam just to make a few dollar , but during our 3 months friendship I got to know a little about Cherokees since she said she was one and I did some research on the internet about the Native American culture , how they lived and why they were driven out of their own land and how many many died in that process in the " trails of tears " , and what a great nation and how they gave back to the land instead of taking from it for their own personal gain like the rest of the white folks. I learned a few things about how they live and how they fall in love , to live in nature and be one with whats all arund you and in their hearts , native ansecsters spirits speaks. My experience with her even though it turned out to fake(on her side) but it was a blessing since I got to know about the great nation of Cherokee , so much so that my life hasn't been the same ever since , sometimes in the quiet of these walls I wish I was born as a Cherokee. But I don't want to bore you all with these talks.
So thank you again from the heart for all the good advice and I will sure do as you say and hope to learn a lot more , because the moments that shape our lives and makes us who we are , are in our hands. God bless.

[azdr0710]

based on your last post, I'd definitely concentrate on whatever museums are available on the various reservations.....google for authentic ones operated by the various tribes themselves.....when there, chat up the staff and see if you can find a person willing to talk about the traditions you mention....also, see if there are cultural demonstrations, dances, lectures, etc. going on in the areas you'll visit that are open to non-natives....

many, many books have been written about the legends, traditions, and history of the many native tribes....I'm more familiar with the Arizona tribes....I'm sure you know the Cherokees are more Oklahoma-based.....google for literature to read online....

when out here, plan to pull off the road in a scenic and remote area, look across the land, think about it all for a bit, and see what comes to mind...though a bit corny and maybe melodramatic, you may want to put in a Carlos Nakai CD and listen while you contemplate....yeah, he's a bit famous and commercial (has a website!!), but definitely has the talent and spirit....

R. Carlos Nakai

[Steve Pickering]

You're heading the wrong direction Try Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee, NC. Its a live, authentic replica of an 18th Century Cherokee community. Cherokee artisans and guides demonstrate and explain the history and culture of their ancestors. They have typical Cherokee homes and a Council House of 1750.

[FadedGlory]

Also, based on your follow-up posts I would suggest you make a stop at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah Oklahoma. I have been there and found it to be very intersting and well worth the detour.