Kristy McCaffrey, Author

Canyon de Chelly and the Navajo

By Kristy McCaffrey

Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de shay) National Monument is located in northeastern Arizona within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. Rock art and other excavations reveal human habitation for at least 4,500 years, encompassing not just the Navajo but the ancient Anasazi as well. In the 18th century, the canyon became a major stronghold of the Navajo—the high walls offered protection, and the streams helped grow corn crops and peach trees.

It was here that Kit Carson, under orders from James Carleton—governor and commander of New Mexico Territory—sought to purge the Navajo and relocate them to the Bosque Redondo in New Mexico. The Long Walk, an arduous journey which encompassed well over 50 separate treks led by the U.S. Army, occurred from 1863 to 1866. The accounts of death by starvation, sickness, or violence left an indelible trauma on the people. Although they were allowed to return to Canyon de Chelly in 1868, they would never forget this painful period of their history.

Today, the Navajo still occupy Canyon de Chelly, tending sheep and raising crops.

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CONTEST ALERT!!  Kristy will be giving one commenter an ecopy of COWBOYS, CREATURES, AND CALICO VOL. 2 as well as an ecopy of THE WREN, Book One in her Wings of the West Series.

Cowboys, Creatures, and Calico Vol. 2

~ Includes Kristy's short story "The Crow and the Coyote" ~

In Arizona Territory, Hannah Dobbin travels through Cañon de Chelly, home to the Navajo, in search of a sorcerer who murdered her pa. Bounty Hunter Jack Boggs is on the trail of a vile Mexican bandito, but with the shadows of Hallowtide descending, more dark magic is at hand than either of them know.

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The Wren

Captured by Comanche as a child, Molly Hart was assumed dead. Ten years later, Texas Ranger Matt Ryan finds a woman with the same blue eyes.