When
you travel around America today, it's all too easy to forget that, long before
the first skyscrapers and highways were built, the USA was a vast wilderness
inhabited by native tribes.
As
the European settlers who landed on the east coast spread west, these people
were, sadly, marginalised and ousted from their land - bringing turmoil to
their previously peaceful existence.
While
no one can change the past, especially not visitors to the country, as a
conscientious tourist it's only right to bear these historical facts in mind as
you travel with the likes of Grand American Adventures - especially when visiting
places such as Monument Valley in Utah.
At
first sight, this region of dramatic geology is a spectacular outdoor
attraction in the same vein as the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, but the reality is
somewhat different.
Navajo Nation
This
is because the beautiful sandstone buttes lie at the heart of Navajo Nation, a
semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory, covering some 27,425 square
miles of Utah , Arizona and New Mexico.
The
region was established by the Treaty of 1868, which followed a rather damning
period in American history called 'The Long Walk'. This saw the US Army force
thousands of Navajo at gunpoint to walk 300 miles across the desert from their
homeland to Fort Sumner, where they were imprisoned.
Four
years later, the US government allowed them to return to their homeland and
Navajo Nation was established.
Today
In
the 21st century, the region is populated by some 250,000 people, who are
represented by 88 Council delegates from the 110 Navajo Nation chapters, or
communities.
The
three-branch system (executive, legislative and judicial) run by the Navajo is
considered to be the most sophisticated form of Indian government and
proceedings are conducted in the traditional language, not English.
Responsible tourism
As
you explore the wonderful surroundings of Navajo Nation, which has formed the
backdrop to countless movies, it's obviously important to show respect to the
local people, who consider Monument Valley to be a sacred place.
You
can do this by sticking to designated trails, asking for permission before
taking photos of people and events, and refraining from drinking alcohol, which
is strictly prohibited.
By
being respectful to the Navajo way of life, you'll be able to enjoy the
incredible landscape of Monument Valley in harmony with the local people and
your surroundings, which is ultimately what responsible tourism is all about.
However,
this doesn't just apply to Navajo Nation. This sort of history-led approach
should inform your whole trip to the USA - giving you a greater appreciation of
what you encounter and guiding how you go about being a tourist, whether you're
motoring down Route 66 or enjoying the music scene in the Deep South.
This
doesn't mean you can't go wild and party on Bourbon Street like any fun-loving
tourist should do, but it's equally important to take the time to visit the
National Civil Rights Museum to learn more about the tumultuous history of the
region, which saw black Americans struggle for their rights over many years.
By
doing so, you'll leave the USA having enjoyed a much richer experience, which
will not only stay with you for many years to come, but also affect your
holidays in the future - in a positive way - too.
