Havasupais

Their land is a wonderland, one of the most fantastically beautiful areas the most venturesome traveler could find. Their canyon is the Cataract, a part of the Grand Canyon. They live along Havasu Creek, which forms waterfalls, large and small, and many pools of quiet water of turquoise blue. Their name is derived from "havasu" meaning "blue water."

Father Garces found them in their present home about the time of the American Revolution. Related to the Hualapais and the Yavapais, legend has it that centuries ago they lived near Flagstaff. Trouble arose between the tribes; so the Havasupais started west and they came to find the canyon of the swift blue water.

They are a small, peaceful, happy tribe, not much over 200 in number. Children are excellent horsemen and swimmers, and the tribe lives in happiness and contentment in the beautiful canyon.

Farming and fruit-raising is their occupation. The men specialize in the dressing and tanning of skins and basket-weaving is followed by the women of the tribe.

Their land is comparatively isolated and it was not until recent years that travelers heard of the Havasupais and the Land of the Sky Blue Water. Each year visitors to Havasupailand increase in numbers. They find the Indians friendly and hospitable, like charming children in a green paradise, whose home is enlivened by the sound of falling, hurrying water and whose castle walls are the mile-high cliffs of the Canyon.

Havasu Creek runs through Cataract Canyon, being about 13 miles from its source to its confluence with the Colorado River, where it is swallowed. There are five beautiful falls in ten miles of its journey to the Colorado. (Josef Muench.)

Patriarch of the Tribe. This venerable old man is one of the

patriarchs of the tribe, and on occasion goes to Grand Can-yon to greet some visiting dignitary. (Carlos Elmer.)

Havasupai Chief. Over 100 winters have passed him by

This-this chief of the Havasupais. Like all Indians, this tribe venerates the aged. His are the words of wisdom, gathered by long years of experience. (Carlos Elmer.)

Tilling the Soil. From the rich floor of Cataract Canyon comes food and sustenance for the Havasupais. The tribe

farms extensively in their limited domain. In the distance are the massive walls of Cataract Canyon, part of the Grand Canyon, whose steepness has been a source of protection to the tribe for centuries. (Josef Muench.) Havasupailand from the Canyon Wall. The land of the Havasupai is wedged between massive walls, and on the floor of the canyon is the patchwork of farms, from which the tribe subsists. Herein is the little village of Supai, Arizona, whose postoffice is one of the most inaccessible in the country. (Carlos Elmer.) The Prince, and the Princess. Havasupai legend has it that these two strange pillars of rock symbolize the existence of the tribe and when one of the rocks falls the Havasupais will perish. The modern cabin in the foreground is one of 18 cabins built for the Havasupais by the government to replace more primitive domiciles that have changed little with the years. (C. Segerblom.) Portrait of Happiness. This study of a little Havasupai girl is a portrait in Happiness. Havasupai children live a gay, happy, carefree life. Infants learn to swim almost before they learn to walk and in the summer the pools of Havasu Creek are filled with laughing, splashing children. (Robert L. Ziriax.)

Steep Canyon Walls. A Havasupai horseman pauses to look down into his canyon, which is bounded by steep walls. (William Belknap, Jr.)

Leaving the Canyon. It's a long jaunt from Cataract Canyon to the outside. Fourteen miles of twisting canyon trail must be negotiated before reaching the top at Hillside, the closest you can approach by automobile. This Indian and his daughter are leaving early for the Pow Wow at Flagstaff, where Havasupai youths excel in rodeo sports. (Josef Muench.) View of the Canyon. Many of the Havasupais live in modern little houses in their canyon. Members of the tribe on infrequent visits to the outside return with all the news that can be gathered. The Indians are content with their snug little, tight little canyon, and well they might be. (William Belknap, Jr.)