Havasu Falls Facts

The Tribe

Tribe name is Havasu Baaja. Translated into English, it means "People of the Blue Green Waters." Currently, 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 25 years.

History

The Havasu Baaja has lived in the area for many hundreds of years. Prior to the early 1900's when the Grand Canyon was made into a national park the Havasupai roamed a vast area on the upper 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 the tribe to 518 acres at the bottom of the canyon, resulting in a loss of almost 90 percent of the tribe's original land. This loss of the economic base had a major influence on our culture, forcing the tribe to rely more on farming and seeking wage labor outside the canyon. Eventually the Tribe began to rely on tourism, as people found their way to its beautiful homeland. In 1975, Congress re-allocated 185,000 acres of its original hunting grounds back to the Havasupai.

Community

Tourism provides the main economic base providing jobs in the various tribal enterprises such as the Supai Lodge, Tourist Office, Store and Cafe. 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 in the helicopter (everything comes in to the Village this way).

The Tribe is 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 Village. The Havasupai 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.

Environment

Havasu Creek springs from the rocks and runs on top of the ground until it flows into the Colorado River, which is 10 miles beyond the village. The beautiful blue-green water cascades over the three major waterfalls: Navajo, (1 1/2 miles from the Village), Havasu (another 1/2 mile), and Mooney Falls (3 miles). The water temperature of about 70 degrees remains relatively constant throughout the year. Its high mineral content and carbonate precipitate account for the pools and natural dams, which are vulnerable to floods.