2023 Yavapai-Apache Nation Exodus Day Commemoration

On February 25, the Yavapai-Apache Nation held its annual Exodus Day event,"to commemorate the return of the Yavapai-Apache People from Exodus, 1875-1900".

"In 1875, nearly 1,500 Yavapai and Western Apache people were forcibly removed from the Rio Verde Reservation in the Verde Valley to the San Carlos Indian Reservation. They were marched over the Mazatzal Mountains in winter by U.S. soldiers for nearly 200 miles, and at least 100 died along the way. This grim chapter in Arizona’s history is known to the Yavapai-Apache as the Exodus."

-Discover Gila County

Commemorative Run

Every year, various tribal members elect to participate in a commemorative run from San Carlos to Camp Verde, which is one of several portions of their ancestral and present-day homelands. The total distance from San Carlos to Camp Verde is approximately 160 miles. The run begins the day before the Exodus Day Commemoration.

Participants each complete three legs of the run, which measure approximately 1-3 miles each. The run continues non-stop until runners reach Camp Verde High School.

The run is followed by a day of singing, dancing, prayer and conversation, which takes place at Veterans Memorial Park on the Yavapai-Apache Nation, just a few miles from Camp Verde High School. Neighboring tribes such as the Havasupai and Hualapai are also invited to take part in the event, which is open to the public at no cost.

In addition to the aforementioned activities, there were about a dozen Indigenous food, jewelry and craft vendors present at this year's event.

Havasupai at Exodus Day 2023

The Havasupai Tribe's Ram Dancers' namesake headdresses are said to represent the hairstyle worn by a legendary warrior of Supai Village, which is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. "(The warrior) ran away to the canyons to become the Big Horn Sheep; he braided his hair in the manner that it grew into the horns," said Matthew Putesoy, former Vice Chairman of the Havasupai Tribe. The ram dance is performed to protect the Grand Canyon and those who inhabit it. Putesoy spoke of the continuous threats posed to the Havasupai people, which include uranium mining. "(We) have a tradition to carry on; to pray and keep up with the changes that are made in the earth...the oppressor keeps coming forward...continuing to dig up the uranium from the ground and making bombs and continuing with the wars all over...". Putesoy spoke of a prophecy of a third world war, which he said "has been predicted from us a long time ago, thousands of years ago. It can't be stopped; it can be delayed. A lot of people sing and pray to the Mother Earth; that's what the creator put us here for, to take care of the land. As long as we do that, we honor our covenant with the Great Spirit."

The White Mountain Apache Tribe Crown Dancers are said to become the embodiment of the mountain spirits who provide protection from enemies and diseases. "We don't know who they under those masks; they are a vacuum; no face, no lips, no eyeballs, nothing," said Donnie Decker, a Yavapai-Apache Elder, journalist and artisan, who was kind enough to educate me on the finer points of photographing Indigenous events. That's me with Donnie below.

While some of the subject matter at the event is rather solemn, it is also a celebration of Indigenous culture.

The sights and sounds of the people as they celebrate and honor their traditions can be felt within; the feeling is something like reverence, but goes deeper- beyond description. It's something that can only be experienced in person, on a physical level.

As a non-native person, I have yet to experience such a sense of community. In contemporary culture, we are so individuated.

When witnessing the people, both inside and outside of the performance circle, dancing and singing as one, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

Donnie explained to me that the dancers use locally-sourced clay not only to decorate themselves, but to protect their skin from the sun. The colors on the Crown Dancers' headdresses (black, blue, yellow and white) are considered sacred, and are said to guide their prayers to the Great Creator.

A note on etiquette while visiting tribal lands

While the public are often invited to attend events like Exodus, it is important to observe cultural traditions from a position of respect. If you are planning on attending a tribal event, it is always a good idea to acquaint yourself with the community and its various cultural practices as much as possible.

Indian Country Today has a helpful general guide for attending powwows. I also recommend checking in with the tribe if you are planning on taking any photographs.

Reflections

My greatest takeaway from Exodus was that I wish I'd have had more time to spend there. The event lasted from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, I only had a couple of hours. I'd have liked to have been there to see the commemorative march as well as some of the other performances.

However, I was very pleased to see the Havasupai Tribe, as I've been learning about them for quite some time now, ever since I lived in the Grand Canyon.

Many people visiting GCNP are not aware that the Havasupai actually live within the canyon; however, that is beginning to change, thanks to collaborative efforts between the National Park Service, the Inter-Tribal Working Group, Grand Canyon Conservancy and various tribal members who are working to establish a greater presence for the 11 tribes that are traditionally associated with the land.

Overall, I highly recommend this event. It's unique to this region and has so much to offer. You will not be disappointed.

copyright Lo Frisby, 2023

*Note: The Y-A Nation was contacted regarding photographs prior to the Exodus event and I was assured photography is allowed. When speaking to Mr. Decker, I was informed that certain aspects of the event have the potential to be rather delicate in nature, and therefore are subject to review by the tribal members before publishing (such as individual regalia, photographs of children and individual blessings), so I did my best to edit accordingly. Additionally, I did as much due diligence as possible researching these principles online and also noted who has published similar photographs (mostly tribes). Furthermore, I made several attempts to contact the White Mountain Apache Tribe prior to this article being published and received no response regarding the photos and video contained herein. I sincerely hope that what I have published here is acceptable and does not cause offense. If such offense is taken, please do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns by filling out a contact form. I am here to learn and share my findings, and appreciate any additional guidance and information that can help me produce more accurate and thoughtful work.

Thanks Donnie! It was a pleasure meeting you in person!