Category: Indigenous Archaeoloy

Seeking My Center Place: Migrations through Science and Tradition

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Bears Ears, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Indigenous Guides, Native Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, Southwest, Traditional Cultural Places3 Comments

By Lyle Balenquah Third Mesa Tep'wungwa (Greasewood) Clan, Village of Paaqavi, Arizona. The following chapter appears in the volume, "Working as Indigenous Archaeologists: Reckoning New Paths Between Past and Present Lives". Edited by George Nicholas and Joe Watkins. (Routledge, 2024). “I know my story. But the only real, tangible evidence of the clans being here …

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In Honor Of Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma (1950-2025).

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Cultural Preservation, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy8 Comments

Our first Director and leader of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office (HCPO), Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma, made his final journey from this earthly world on February 17th, 2025. While it is not considered a Hopi practice to be “memorialized”, it is with respect and humility that we offer this remembrance of his life. Leigh was born …

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Pueblo Pottery: A Thousand years of Ancestral Designs and Continuing Traditions

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Indigenous Archaeoloy2 Comments

In 2022, I and another Hopi Archaeologist, April Sewaquaptewa, were asked to contribute an essay for the 400+ page book titled, "Native American Art from the Thomas W. Weisel Family Collection". In addition to many beautiful color plate photos of the fine art, the book contains essays and writings from museum curators and conservators, as …

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Hopi Ancestors Lived In These Canyons

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, climate change, Colorado River, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Indigenous Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, San Juan River, Southwest, springs,, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places, Youth4 Comments

This is a short essay I wrote for Plateau Magazine (Museum of Northern Arizona) about Hopi connections to the Glen Canyon region. This issue compliments a small exhibit currently on display at MNA titled, "Archaeologists in Glen Canyon". The exhibit will run through the summer of 2023. The essay, with voice-over, is also on display …

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Beyond Stone & Mortar: Preserving Indigenous Presence within Ancestral Landscapes

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Bears Ears, Colorado River, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Indigenous Guides, Native Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, San Juan River, Southwest, springs,, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places, Youth1 Comment

My latest article about the conservation work we completed in the Bears Ears area is now available via the link below. The piece is featured in the Spring/Summer 2022 edition of the Grand Canyon Trust's publication,  "Advocate Magazine". Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, Zuni #642. Photo: Lyle Balenquah Please consider supporting the Grand Canyon Trust in …

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“Full Circle”

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Bears Ears, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hisat'sinom, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Indigenous Guides, Native Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, San Juan River, Southwest, springs,, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places, YouthLeave a comment

A great article, "Full Circle", authored by Karuna Eberl recently appeared that highlights the conservation work we have been doing within Bears Ears National Monument. The article is featured in the Spring 2022 edition of National Parks, the quarterly magazine of the National Parks Conservation Association. You can find the article HERE There is also …

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Lifeways of the Little Colorado River – Grand Canyon Trust

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Colorado River, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Indigenous Guides, River Guiding, San Juan River, Southwest, springs,, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural PlacesLeave a comment

"No matter its color—clear, red, or blue—the Little Colorado River gives life to the lands, communities, and cultures through which it flows." Follow the link below to hear and read various Indigenous perspectives about Paayu, the Little Colorado River, and why it deserves continued protection and preservation as a Cultural Landscape and unique, desert ecosystem. …

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“Speak Softly, Tread Lightly & Show Much Respect….”

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Indigenous Guides, Native Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, Southwest, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places5 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to speak with the "Science Moab Podcast" about my views on Indigenous Archaeology as well as on-going conservation work in Southeastern Utah. This interview was included as a part of the Moab Festival of Science. You can hear the interview here-->https://sciencemoab.org/perspectives-from-a-hopi-archaeologist/ The interview was followed by a live-stream Q & …

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Help protect the Little Colorado River Gorge from development!

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Indigenous Archaeoloy1 Comment

Be sure to check out this short, but great video overflight of 3 dam systems that are being proposed to be built within the Little Colorado River Gorge. These dams would significantly impact unique cultural landscapes that are important for several Indigenous tribes, as well as impact critical, natural habitat for the endangered Humpback Chub. …

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The Indigenous Future of Bears Ears

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Indigenous Archaeoloy2 Comments

I am happy to share my latest writing about Bears Ears, Indigenous Archaeology and what we hope to see develop for this culturally important landscape. This piece is featured in the most recent edition of the Grand Canyon Trust's publication, "Advocate Magazine". Please consider joining the Trust as a member and supporting their efforts to …

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Ancestral Hopi Presence in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Indigenous Archaeoloy3 Comments

An earlier version of this writing appeared in Archaeology Southwest Magazine, Volume 33, Nos. 1 & 2. Like many landscapes throughout the American Southwest, Hopi people maintain a cultural connection with the region now designated as part of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM). From a Hopi perspective, we believe that it is our ancestors who, …

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Hisat’sinom to Hopi: Establishing Cultural Affiliation in the Bears Ears Landscape

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Bears Ears, Colorado River, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Native Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, Southwest, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places, Uncategorized2 Comments

With the historic visit by Indigenous Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to southeast Utah this week, I think it's worth re-posting a previous blog writing from 4 years ago describing, in part, some of the Hopi questions and answers we find in the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante landscapes. While the increased attention of …

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The Work Continues in Bears Ears

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Bears Ears, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Ruins Preservation, San Juan River, Southwest, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural PlacesLeave a comment

Here are a couple of links to recent articles from High Country News and CNN about the current and future work in the Bears Ears issue. With the change in administration and nomination of Representative (NM) Deb Haaland to serve as Secretary of the Interior, there is renewed hope to reverse the harmful impacts implemented …

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Paa’tuuwa’qatsi: Water is Life

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Coal, Colorado River, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Native Guides, River Guiding, Southwest, springs,, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places, Uncategorized3 Comments

The turquoise waters of the Little Colorado River just above the Confluence. The Grand Canyon landscape contains some of the Southwests most unique ecosystems of rivers, springs and riparian zones. These areas are home to many plant and animal species, some found nowhere else in the world, or that represent the last viable populations holding …

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Hisat’sinom to Hopi: Establishing Cultural Affiliation in the Bears Ears Landscape

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Bears Ears, Colorado River, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hisat'sinom, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Native Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, Southwest, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places, Uncategorized6 Comments

With the historic visit by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to southeast Utah this week, I think it's worth re-posting a previous blog writing from 4 years ago describing, in part, some of the Hopi questions and answers we find in the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante landscapes. While the increased attention of the …

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Culture Relative to Homeland

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Native Guides, Ruins Preservation, Southwest, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural PlacesLeave a comment

An interview from 2014 with Jack Loeffler (Santa Fe, NM) talking about Hopi connections to Landscapes, Culture & Sustainability. Originally appeared in Green Fire Times, 2014 (Santa Fe, NM). JL: How do you perceive culture relative to homeland? LB: Culture relative to homeland is a big idea. Homeland is something that is always in the back of …

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Spirit of Place: Preserving the Cultural Landscape of the Bears Ears

On By Lyle BalenquahIn Archaeology, Bears Ears, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Preservation, Cultural Tourism, Hopi, Indigenous Archaeoloy, Native Guides, River Guiding, Ruins Preservation, Southwest, Sustainability, Traditional Cultural Places, Uncategorized, Youth1 Comment

1200 A.D. Dawn breaks over a secluded canyon, spreading a sliver of orange light along the rim as a lone canyon wren welcomes the morning, singing another day into existence. As the light increases in intensity, it illuminates a sheer cliff face, revealing layers of geologic time; ancient cross-bedded sand dunes and million-year old ocean …

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