Hopi

The Hopi are Native Americans who mainly live in northeastern Arizona. Most belong to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and live on the Hopi Reservation, but some are part of the Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation near the border of Arizona and California.

According to the 2010 U.S. census, many people in the United States identify as Hopi. The Hopi language is part of the larger Uto-Aztecan language family. Hopi society is organized into matrilineal clans, meaning children are born into their mother's clan.

The Hopi view their land as sacred and see themselves as caretakers of the land passed down from their ancestors. Farming is very important in their way of life. Their homes and buildings share traits with other nearby Pueblo tribes. Big community buildings called Pueblo Great Houses include living spaces, storage areas, and special rooms for religious activities known as kivas.

The Hopi have a long history, dating back to the Ancestral Pueblo people, who built large structures in the Four Corners area covering parts of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Today, Hopi villages sit on top of mesas in northern Arizona. In 1882, President Chester A. Arthur created an Indian reservation for the Hopi, though it was smaller than the nearby, very large Navajo Reservation.

Name

The word Hopi means "behaving one" or someone who is polite and peaceful. The Hopi believe in living politely and following the Hopi Way. This idea is very important in their culture and religion. To be Hopi is to respect all things, live in peace, and follow the teachings of Maasaw, the Creator or Caretaker of Earth. The Hopi hold special ceremonies for the good of the whole world.

Early history

Oraibi

Old Oraibi is one of the four original Hopi villages. It was founded before the year 1100 and is one of the oldest villages still lived in in the United States.

Early European contact, 1540–1680

The first Europeans to meet the Hopi were Spanish explorers in 1540. A Spanish general named Francisco Vásquez de Coronado sent people to visit the Hopi villages. They went to a place called Awatovi and met many Hopi people. Later, another Spanish explorer named García López de Cárdenas also met the Hopi and was welcomed. In the 1580s, another Spanish group visited and found five Hopi villages.

Pueblo Revolt of 1680

Main article: Pueblo Revolt

The Spanish tried to change the Hopi's ways and made them work hard. This made the Hopi unhappy. In 1680, many Pueblo groups, including the Hopi, worked together to send the Spanish away. They removed the Spanish from their land and destroyed churches the Spanish had built. It took many years for the Spanish to return, and they never fully controlled the Hopi again.

Hopi-U.S. relations, 1849–1946

In 1849, a U.S. official named James S. Calhoun was in charge of relations with Native American tribes in the Southwest. In 1850, seven Hopi leaders met with Calhoun and asked for help to stay safe from the Navajo, another nearby tribe.

The U.S. built a fort in 1851 and sent soldiers to deal with the Navajo. For a short time, this helped the Hopi feel safer. Later, a group called the Mormons tried to live among the Hopi and share their beliefs.

Education

In 1875, some Hopi leaders visited Washington, D.C., and saw the city. Later, a school was built far from their homes for Hopi children. The school wanted to teach English and new ways of living, but many Hopi families did not want their children to leave their villages or forget their traditions.

Hopi land

The Hopi people lived in villages in northern Arizona. In 1882, the U.S. government created a special area called a reservation for the Hopi. This land helped protect them, but there were still problems with the Navajo over land.

Oraibi split

Some Hopi people supported the school, while others did not. This caused disagreement in one village, Oraibi. Eventually, some people left to form a new village called Hotevilla.

Federal recognition

In the early 1900s, the U.S. government built schools, missions, farms, and clinics on Native American reservations. They also helped each reservation set up its own police, courts, and a leader.

In 1924, all Native Americans became U.S. citizens through the Indian Citizenship Act.

In 1934, the Hopi made their own constitution under the Indian Reorganization Act. This helped them create their own tribal government. In 1936, they chose a Tribal Council. The Hopi constitution explains their land, members, and how their government is organized into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Hopi–Navajo land disputes

Further information: Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

From the 1940s to the 1970s, the Navajo people moved closer to Hopi land. This made the Hopi ask the U.S. government for help. A boundary called "District 6" was made around the Hopi villages, making the reservation smaller. In 1962, courts said the U.S. government had not let the Navajo live on the Hopi land from 1882. The remaining Hopi land was shared with the Navajo as the Navajo–Hopi Joint Use Area.

Between 1961 and 1964, the Hopi tribal council let companies look for oil, gas, and minerals on their land. This brought money to the Hopi Tribe. In 1974, a law was passed to solve land issues between the Navajo and Hopi. Another law in 1996 helped solve remaining problems. This led to the creation of the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, which moved people living on each other's land. By 1992, the Hopi Reservation grew larger. Today, Arizona State Route 264 runs through the Hopi Reservation, connecting the villages.

Tribal government

On October 24, 1936, the Hopi Tribe of Arizona created a government. This government has a Tribal Council that makes most of the decisions. There are also leaders called a chairman and vice chairman, but they have smaller powers. The traditional powers of the Hopi villages were kept in these rules.

The Hopi tribe is recognized by the U.S. government and its main office is in Kykotsmovi, Arizona.

Economic development

The Hopi tribe makes most of its money from natural resources. They get money from coal mined nearby, including from Peabody Western Coal Company on their land. When a big coal mine closed, it made jobs harder to find.

The Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation helps create jobs. It manages the Hopi Cultural Center and Walpi Housing Management. Other businesses include ranches, a travel plaza, and hotels.

Tourism also helps. A nonprofit group opened a hotel with tours, learning, and jobs. The Hopi Cultural Center has shops, museums, a hotel, and a restaurant.

The Hopi people do not allow gambling casinos. In 2017, they agreed with Arizona to operate up to 900 gaming machines.

Culture

The Hopi people describe themselves as calm, polite, and peaceful. They have strong ties to their past and believe that past and present can exist together. They honor their gods and follow the guidance of village leaders.

Hopi families are organized through the mother's side. When a man marries, his children become part of his wife's family group. The mother's family gives names to a newborn child, and the parents choose which name to use. The Hopi hold many ceremonies throughout the year. They also create art, such as dolls, pottery, and jewelry.

Albinism

The Hopi people have more individuals with a condition called albinism, especially in areas like Second Mesa and villages near Hotevilla. In these places, some people have albinism.

Notable Hopi people

The Hopi people have many famous individuals who have done great work in many areas. Well-known Hopi people include Thomas Banyacya, who helped explain Hopi ideas to others, and Neil David Sr., a painter known for his katsina figures.

Other famous Hopi include Diane Humetewa, who became a U.S. District Court Judge, and Lewis Tewanima, who won a silver medal in running at the Olympics. Many Hopi are also known for their skills in pottery, painting, and other traditional crafts.