We are Havasu 'Baaja. Currently our tribe is comprised of about 650 enrolled tribal members. Approximately 450 people live here in Supai. Our native language, Havasupai, is our preferred way to communicate. It has been a written language for about 20 years. We are very resourceful people and proud of our beautiful land.

History

Our people have lived in the area for many hundreds of years. Prior to the early 1800's, when the Grand Canyon area was made into a national park, our people roamed a vast area on the upper plateau. During the fall and winter months, we would move our families up to the plateau regions subsisting by hunting and gathering what the earth provided. During the spring and summer months, we moved back to the canyon and planted gardens.

When the reservation was created in 1882, the federal government confined us to the 518 acres at the bottom of the canyon and we lost almost 90% of our aboriginal land. This loss of the economic base had a major influence on our culture, forcing us to rely more on farming and seeking wage labor outside of the canyon. Eventually the Tribe began to rely on tourism, as people found their way to our beautiful homeland. In 1975, Congress reallocated 185,000 acres of our original hunting grounds back to the tribe.

Community

Tourism provides the main economic base providing jobs in the various tribal-run enterprises such as the lodge, tourist office and café. Federal programs run by the Tribe provide most of the available jobs. Many people support their families by packing supplies. Most of us purchase our supplies out of the canyon and bring them in on horseback or by helicopter.

We are governed by a seven member Tribal Council which is elected to office by the people. The Bureau of Indian Affairs provides law enforcement services to the villages. Possession of alcohol, drugs, or firearms is illegal. Our people do not receive any government stipends and we pay income taxes just like all Americans. A small Christian church offers services on Sunday. The Indian Health Service clinic and resident physician provide out-patient and emergency services.