National park evicted Navajos

An unhappy occasion

Chaco Canyon park marks centennial, families recall dark historyThis year marks a century that Chaco Culture National Historic Park has been in existence, preserving thousand-year-old ruins and interpreting them for visitors from all over the world.

And, some would argue, oppressing local Navajos.

About 150 Navajos gathered Saturday just outside the park boundary to share stories of their experiences with the park. They told of forcible evictions from their homes, not being allowed to collect medicinal herbs in the park, and being denied such amenities as paved roads in the name of historical preservation.Comment:  For more on this story, read American Indians and National Parks.