Navajo Chief, Native American legacy remembered during heritage month

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Our great nation celebrates many traditions and holidays throughout the year that give us pause to remember the footsteps of our forefathers. The month of November gives us Thanksgiving Day as a time to spend with family and friends and a time to remember the contributions of Native Americans to our history as a nation.

To reflect on both the history of our nation and the U.S. Air Force, I want to inform today's Airmen and their families about Manuelito, the great-great-grandfather of Master Sgt Samuel N. Blatchford, a prominent Native American noncommissioned officer in AF history.

Many of us look into our family history, but not many of us can claim a Navajo Chief as our great-great-grandfather. During Manuelito's lifetime, the Navajo lived in the four corners region of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.

Manuelito's life chronicles many noteworthy battles, wars and examples of successful diplomacy with the U.S. government. Manuelito's last days were spent as an advocate of education to the Navajo. His name is remembered with The Chief Manuelito Scholarship.

For many years, the Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans have claimed much of the Navajo's territory. In 1855, Fort Defiance was established in Canyon de Chelly, on Navajo country. At the same time, the Navajo territory was decreased in size by treaty.

Tension and battles between the fort and the Navajo escalated as both were using the grassland. In 1860, many of the troops departed to join the Civil War. During this perceived time of weakened defenses, the Navajo along with other tribes attacked the fort.

A strong showing was made against the well-armed troops. However, many Navajos were killed and the others retreated to the canyons in Chuska Mountain.

At that time, Colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson was sent to Fort Defiance to lead the efforts. He began burn fields of crops, destroy homes and confiscate livestock in an effort to drive the Navajos out of their land. Many Navajos departed to join other tribes. However, Manuelito and his companions traveled down into the Grand Canyon. Colonel Carson and his troops returned to Fort Defiance to wait for their surrender.

On March 6, 1864, the soldiers at the fort instructed 2,500 refugees to form into a long line and led them on to the reservation of Bosque Redondo. Manuelito and his followers held out during this time and did not join the others in Bosque Redondo until September of 1866.

In the late 1860's, Manuelito traveled to Washington, D.C., to request on behalf of his people for their return to their homeland. General William D. Sherman held a council with Navajo headmen to include Manuelito. After much debate, the Navajo were allowed to return home.

On June 18, 1868, Manuelito led more than 7,000 people on the long journey back to their homeland. Slowly, the Navajo people began to recover and prosper. The area where they rebuilt their homes is now called Manuelito Springs.

Manuelito continued to represent his people. In 1875, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Ulysses S. Grant to discuss concerns about the construction of the railroad through Navajo grazing lands. However, during these years, he chose to adapt in order to survive. He obtained wagons and began shipping items to and from the railway. His ability to adapt enabled him to thrive and become wealthy. His domain included 10 to 20 families that farmed a large parcel of land.

During his final years, Manuelito became an advocate for education to the Navajo. He sent two of his sons and a nephew off to college and continued to be a bridge for opportunity to his people. He made this famous statement, which is still often quoted:

"My grandchild, education is the ladder. Tell our people to take it."

In 1980, The Chief Manuelito Scholarship was established to provide financial support to top Navajo high school graduates. The criteria are based on ACT/SAT scores and final high school grade point average. Recipients are given $7,000 annually to cover direct educational expenses associated with attending a post-secondary institution.

Please join us at 3 p.m. Nov. 30 at Heritage Park for Davis-Monthan's National Native American Heritage Observation Event!