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Native
American Presence
in Sedona
In picturesque Palatki (“red house”),
a heritage site in Red Rock Canyon just outside of Sedona,
Arizona, it is possible to imagine life among the Sinagua Indians
many centuries ago. The
site has a village feel, with remnants of dwellings, a granary and
possible kiva (or ceremonial room) to the right and group
gathering sites with fascinating and abundant rock art to the
left, some of which dates back 12,000 years and predates the
Sinaguan settlers. Artifacts,
such as arrowheads, also spontaneously appear from time to time in
the unexcavated ruins.
About twice a month, site stewards conduct
tours just beyond The Grotto and the Bear Alcove to a very large
agave roasting pit and a ceremonial spirit hole where modern
medicine men still pray. The
agave is a cultivated plant that continues to be prized by several
Native American tribes, who roast the sweet, artichoke-like heart
for special occasions and cultural festivals.
A few miles west of Palatki and
constructed around the same time is Honanki or “Bear House.”
These cliff-dwelling ruins housed successive Native American
cultures (Sinagua, Yavapai and Apache) over a period of seven
centuries, and represent one of the largest population centers in
the Verde Valley. Archeologists estimate that at least 400 people
lived there at a time. Some
of the dwellings were three-stories high.
Other outstanding examples of Sinagua
ruins include the national monuments of Tuzigoot in Clarkdale and
Montezuma Castle in Camp Verde (described in other articles here
at www.sedonaverdevalley.org)
and the V-Bar-V Heritage
site by the banks of Wet Beaver Creek, which has more than 1,000
petroglyphs of human, animal and geometric shapes.
These five locations are among some 50
pueblos or towns the Sinagua (“Without Water”) Indians built
around present-day Sedona during the time they inhabited the
area—from about 650 A.D. until they left the Verde Valley around
1400 A.D. As the
Sinaguans moved out, the Yavapai and Apache moved in. Some
scholars believe that the Hopis are descendants of the Sinaguans.
To this day, the Yavapai, Apache and Hopi
(and other tribes) continue to conduct rituals in and around
Sedona, and visitors are sometimes invited. Native wisdom tours
often include medicine wheel ceremonies and occasional sweat
lodges.
Native American culture is also celebrated
at Sedona’s Ringing Rock Foundation, the Institute of Ecotourism
and the Institute for Cultural Awareness. From time to time, the
Sedona Heritage Museum hosts presentations by representatives of
the Yavapai-Apache Nation, which explain both current tribal
culture (including ceremonies, arts and crafts, food and
education) and the history of tribal traditions.
Other opportunities to learn about Native
American culture include musical and dance performances throughout
the year, collaborative educational initiatives, and the
presentation of American Indian jewelry, pottery and rugs in the
city’s galleries and shops and at outdoor shows.
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