Manuelito: The Navajo Chief and Visitor Center

Above, the Manuelito Visitor Information Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in November 2017, after entering New Mexico while on the way to Gallup, I stopped at the Manuelito Visitor Information Center (and rest area) off of Interstate 40 for a break and to pick up some information and maps of the state.

I was curious on how the center got its name.

According to the Four Corners Geotourism website:

The center is named after the famous Navajo Chief Manuelito, who fought against the U.S. from 1858 until 1868, leading a 1,000 strong war party against Ft. Defiance.  From the story, this chief was a great man, revered among the Navajo people. 

The Center is 9,500 sq. ft., built in the shape of a hogan. It boasts a media center with a theatre, WiFi and an information kiosk. A little room in back allows visitors to buy food from a vending machine and mico-wave it. and there's tables to sit and enjoy.  

There are many exhibits of the local history, art and Indigenous People scattered about. I liked the fact that there was an all-indigenous staff on hand.

A week ago, while touring the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona, I spotted a portrait painting of Chief Manuelito:

Above, Navajo Chief Manuelito at the Navajo Nation Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here is a studio photo of Chief Manuelito, of which the portrait is based:

According to Wikipedia:

Chief Manuelito (1818–1893) was one of the principal headmen of the Diné people before, during and after the Long Walk Period. His name means Little Manuel in Spanish. He was born to the Bít'aa'níí or ″Folded Arms People Clan″, near the Bears Ears in southeastern Utah about 1818. As many Navajo, he was known by different names depending upon context. He was Ashkii Diyinii (Holy Boy), Dahaana Baadaané (Son-in-Law of Late Texan), Hastiin Ch'ilhaajinii ("Man of the Black Plants Place")[2] and as Nabááh Jiłtʼaa (War Chief, "Warrior Grabbed Enemy") to other Diné, and non-Navajo nicknamed him "Bullet Hole". 

Manuelito was a prominent Navajo leader who rallied his nation against the oppression of the United States military. For several years he led a group of warriors in resisting federal efforts to forcibly remove the Navajo people to Bosque Redondo, New Mexico via the Long Walk in 1864. After being relocated to Bosque Redondo, Manuelito was among the leaders who signed the 1868 treaty, ending a period of imprisonment in United States government internment camps and establishing a reservation for the Navajo. Manuelito was also an advocate for western education for Navajo children, with his infamous quote, “… My grandchildren, education is a ladder. Tell our people to take it."

The Navajo Code Talker

Above, radio equipment on display at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the more interesting things about the Pacific War in World War II was the use of Navajo Code Talkers.

In recent years, the Navajo Code Talkers' role during the war has been extensively celebrated. And rightly so.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency website:

Navajo Code Talkers and the Unbreakable Code

In the heat of battle, it is of the utmost importance that messages are delivered and received as quickly as possible. It is even more crucial that these messages are encoded so the enemy does not know about plans in advance. 

During World War II, the Marine Corps used one of the thousands of languages spoken in the world to create an unbreakable code: Navajo. 

World War II wasn’t the first time a Native American language was used to create a code. 

During World War I, the Choctaw language was used in the transmission of secret tactical messages. It was instrumental in a successful surprise attack against the Germans. 

Germany and Japan sent students to the United States after World War I to study Native American languages and cultures, such as Cherokee, Choctaw, and Comanche. 

Because of this, many members of the U.S. military services were uneasy about continuing to use Code Talkers during World War II. They were afraid the code would be easily cracked, but that was before they learned about the complexity of Navajo.

Above, "The Legendary Navajo Code Talker" statue at Window Rock Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In Window Rock, Arizona, Navajo Code Talker equipment is on display at the Navajo Nation Museum and there is a statue of "The Legendary Navajo Code Talker" at the Window Rock Tribal Park. Window Rock is the capital of the Navajo Nation.

Near to my home in New Mexico is Fort Wingate. It was at Fort Wingate that the Navajo Code Talkers received training.

From Legends of America:

Most famous of Fort Wingate’s World War II contributions, however, were the Navajo code talkers who trained here. The code talkers baffled Japanese forces in the Pacific using a code based on the Navajo language.

Navajo Nation Museum

Above, the main entrance to the Navajo Nation Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Window Rock, Arizona is the capital of the Navajo Nation. I took a little drive there yesterday and one of the places I visited was the Navajo Nation Museum.

Along with the exhibit area of the museum, it has conference facilities, the offices of the Miss Navajo pageant, library and gift shop.

Here's some photos of the museum:

Above, the main lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Navajo war chief Manuelito. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Navajo Code Talker artifacts:

Above, George Harlan Kirk, Sr. Navajo Code Talker uniform. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more on Window Rock, Arizona, go here.

The Navajo Nation and Jamestown

One photo I took of a tabletop map of the Navajo Nation at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona, I marked where Jamestown, New Mexico (where my home is).

As you can see from the photo below, our community is almost surrounded by the Navajo Nation. I have enlarged the area where Jamestown is located in the bottom photo.

The Zuni Reservation is to the southwest of Jamestown.

A Trek To Window Rock, Arizona

Above, the natural arch that gives the town its name. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Even though it has been a rainy day, I decided to take a drive to Window Rock, Arizona for the fun of it.

I had never been there before so I headed over after breakfast and a stop at the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona.

Above, the Navajo Nation Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What's the significance of Window Rock?

According to Wikipedia:

Window Rock is a small city that serves as the seat of government and capital of the Navajo Nation, the largest territory of a sovereign Native American nation in North America. It lies within the boundaries of the St. Michaels Chapter, adjacent to the Arizona and New Mexico state line.

Above, a giant tabletop map of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While it probably would have been better to go there during the spring and summer months, it was a nice drive with snow on the surrounding red rocks. Besides being my first time there, it was also the first time I drove in this area of the Navajo Nation.

Above, a display of Navajo Code Talker radio transmitters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After arriving in town, I headed over to the Navajo Nation Museum. It is a nice modern facility with a large display area, conference rooms, library, the offices of the Miss Navajo pageant and a gift shop. Free coffee is available at the information desk in the main lobby.

After wandering through the museum, I headed over to see the rock formation that gives the town itss name.

Above, an interesting rock formation a short walk away from the museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To get good view of Window Rock, one has to drive to the Window Rock Tribal Park & Veteran's Memorial. At the Veteran's Memorial is a huge statue of a Navajo Code Talker of World War II. The park honors Navajos who served in the U.S. military.

Above, the "Legendary Navajo Code Talkers" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I didn't walk over to the statue as the walkways were very icy from the New Year's snowstorm.

After visiting the Window Rock Tribal Park, I headed out and stopped at the Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise facility. There were many examples of Navajo art goods including jewelry, rugs/blankets, camping equipment, paintings, clothing and other items. I didn't see anything that suited my fancy enough to purchase.

Above, a side view of the "Legendary Navajo Code Talkers" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After visiting the Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise, I headed out to go to Gallup for some grocery shopping.

From the time I left the Flying J this morning and returned home today, I drove about 108 miles. Not a bad little outing.

Above, Window Rock Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This gave me a great opportunity to get some exercise and see things. I will post more on the Navajo Nation Museum in another blog post.