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In-depth Knowledge
Heritage
in the heartlands
Beyond the headlines and skylines
lies a treasure trove of history, art
and culture. PETER ELLEGARD reports
NATIVE AMERICA into Utah and New Mexico, covering more than
Pre-colonial heritage can be found across the US, 27,000 square miles. Its canyons contain more
from the sites of ancient, long-vanished civilisa- than 2,700 archaeological sites. It also
tions to the traditions and culture preserved by Native American in encompasses Monument Valley.
Native American tribes today. traditional dress; The Skywalk, a glass bridge jutting out from the
There are many reservations and cultural sites Taos Pueblo, Grand Canyon and suspending visitors 4,000ft
where visitors can experience traditional native New Mexico above the Colorado river, is operated by the
customs and dances as well as shop for handmade Hualapai Nation. It opened in 2007, in the
crafts and jewellery. Because reservations are Grand Canyon West reserve, which also
exempt from state gambling laws, gambling has features an Indian Village with typical
become a money-spinner for many enterprising homes of a number of tribes.
tribes who have opened casinos. New Mexico’s native heritage includes
Often the casinos are part of resorts with hotels, traditional adobe-built pueblo communities.
spas and golf. The Mohegan tribe’s Mohegan Sun Acoma Pueblo is also known as Sky City, and
Resort in Connecticut is one of the biggest casinos is built on top of a 367ft sandstone mesa.
in the world and has hosted concerts by the Eagles Taos Pueblo dates back 1,000 years and is
and Elton John. still lived in today.
Florida’s Seminole tribe was the first to move Santa Clara’s Puye Cliff Dwellings are part
into gambling, in 1979. It now owns the Hard of a ruined mesa-top village built on a canyon
Rock restaurant chain, but also has cultural cliff face. The Gila Cliff Dwellings of the
tourism centres and operates tours in six Mogollon culture date back 700 years.
Florida reservations. Attractions include the South Dakota’s Native American Scenic
Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and Billie Swamp Byway winds 100 miles past Sioux
Safari in Big Cypress Reservation. Nation historic sites. The Crazy Horse
Home to 21 tribes and with the second- Memorial, begun in 1939, is the world’s
largest Native American population of any largest mountain sculpture and will
state, more than a quarter of Arizona is measure 614ft by 563ft when finished.
reservation land. It incorporates most of the www.unitedvacations.co.uk
Navajo Nation, the largest reservation in the www.completenorthamerica.com
US, and all of the second-largest, the Tohono www.americaasyoulikeit.com
O’odham Nation. The Navajo Nation extends www.covacations.co.uk
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TTG Knowledge USA October 2008
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