The Navajo are a
Native American people of the Southwestern United States. They are the second
largest federally recognized tribe in the United States with 300,460 enrolled
tribal members as of 2015.
The Navajo came into contact with the United States Army in 1846, when
General Stephen W. Kearny invaded Santa Fe with 1,600 men during the
Mexican–American War. In 1846, following an invitation from a small party of
American soldiers, Narbona and other Navajo negotiated a treaty of peace in
1846, at Bear Springs, Ojo del Oso. The treaty was not honored by many young
Navajo raiders who continued to
steal livestock from New Mexican villages and herders. New Mexicans, on their
part, together with Utes, continued to raid Navajo country stealing livestock
and taking women and children for sale as slaves.
In 1849, the military governor of New Mexico led a force of 400 soldiers
into Navajo country, penetrating Canyon de Chelly, and signed a treaty with two
Navajo leaders who presented themselves as "Head Chief" and
"Second Chief." The treaty acknowledged the jurisdiction of the
United States and allowed forts and trading posts to be built on Navajo land. The
United States, on its part, promised "such donations [and] such other
liberal and humane measures, as [it] may deem meet and proper." While en
route to this treaty signing, Narbona, a prominent Navajo peace leader, was
killed resulting in hostility between the treaty parties.