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Navajo Nation | Understanding the Diné & their relationship with Antelope Canyon

If you’re wondering why you can only visit Antelope Canyon with guided tours, and why only Navajo guides can take you on your experience, then learning about the Navajo Nation would help provide context. Find out more about the Navajo people’s relationship with Antelope Canyon and the role they play in the preservation of the region.

About the Navajo Nation | An overview

  • Also known as: Navajoland, Diné Homeland
  • What it is: The largest tribal nation in the US. It’s a self-governing entity with its own government, operating in accordance with the agreements made with the US Congress.
  • When the Navajo Reservation was established: 1868
  • Area: 27,000 square miles (71,000 square km)
  • States under the Navajo Nation: Arizona, Utah, New Mexico (partially)
  • Members: 298,000 to 399,000 (recent estimates), with over 170,000 people residing in the Reservation.
  • Language: Diné bizaad
Did you know?

The Navajo language, Diné Bizaad, was used by the US military during World War II to create an unbreakable code. The language’s unique & complex grammar made it impossible for others to translate.

About the Navajo people, or the Diné

The Diné ancestry can be traced back to the Apachean group, belonging to the Athabaskan-speaking language family. They migrated to the American Southwest between the 11th and 15th centuries.

They were originally hunters and gatherers, but once settling into the Southwest, they adopted many Pueblo traditions & practices while living alongside the Pueblo tribes. The Spanish introduced cattle & livestock to the Diné, and they incorporated the use of these animals (horses, goats, etc.) into their way of life.

The Navajo people are known for maintaining their strong identity over centuries, their connection with the land they reside in, and being adaptable & resourceful.

How the Navajo Nation came to be | A timeline of their history

  • 1000-1400: The Diné tribe migrates to the American Southwest from Canada.
  • 1400-1600s: They adopt multiple practices such as agriculture, pottery, and other skills from the Pueblo & Anasazi people to settle into their new environment.
  • 1600s: The Spanish introduced herding & other livestock practices to the Diné people, along with silversmithing.
  • 1800s: Conflict arises between the Navajo people & the Spanish because of their intent to conquer Navajo lands and capture their people. 
  • 1863: Kit Carson, with the US military, began implementing their strategies to get the Navajo people to surrender.
  • 1863-1868: The Long Walk begins, where nearly 10,000 people had to go on a 300-mile-long march to New Mexico after their defeat, resulting in the loss & disappearance of hundreds of tribe members.
  • 1868: The Treaty of Bosque Redondo is signed, and the Long Walk ends; the Navajo people return to their homeland.
  • 1868: The Navajo Nation becomes a sovereign state, operating in accordance with federal laws of the US.
  • 1884: The Navajo Reservation expands to include parts of Utah under its governance.
  • 1924: Native Americans & indigenous tribes are granted US citizenship.

Navajo Nation & Antelope Canyon

Mythology & legends

  • The creation: The Navajo believe that Antelope Canyon was created by the Holy People, and that it is the intersection between physical & spiritual realms. It’s considered to be a sacred site and a display of Mother Nature’s power.
  • The mischievous coyote: You can hear echoes in certain sections of Antelope Canyon, and the legend behind that is of a mischievous mythical coyote. It is said that he opened a doorway into another world, and what you hear is the sound of the coyote’s laughter traveling through the canyon’s passageways.
  • Water & wind spirits: The Navajo believe that the water and wind spirits present within the canyon walls are extremely powerful, and that they can alter a person’s mental state and impact their health if one spends too much time in the canyons.

Spiritual significance

  • A spiritual connection with the land: Antelope Canyon is believed to be the site where the physical and mystical worlds meet, and that the canyon opens up a passageway between both worlds, creating space for spiritual renewal.
  • The formation of “Tsé bighánílíní”, or Antelope Canyon: The Navajo refer to the canyon’s formation as a symbol of the power nature holds over our existence, and how it signifies the passage of time in a literal & metaphysical sense. It shows them that there is more to the world than the existence of humanity.
  • Respects: You can see your Navajo guides take a moment to offer their respects to the land before entering Antelope Canyon.

Relationship with the land

  • Earth: The Navajo believe that Earth is a living entity and that Antelope Canyon is a sacred part of it because of its spiritual significance.
  • Water: The water passing through the canyon signifies the spiritual renewal of the region, and traveling through the passageways symbolizes moving away from the darkness and towards the light.
  • Sky: The light beams filtering through the canyon signify a kiss from Father Sky to help maintain the natural balance within the region.
  • Harmony: The water, sky, and earth elements combine to create the slot canyon, and the interplay of light, color, and shadow symbolizes the harmony of existence & the cyclical nature of all life.

Antelope Canyon tourism & its impact on the Navajo people

  • Growth: Antelope Canyon tourism has had a significant positive impact on the economic growth of the Navajo Nation, and continues to be a large source of income for many of its residents.
  • Safety challenges: The flash flood of 1997 highlighted the safety challenges that come with visiting the slot canyons, and since then, the Navajo Nation has partnered with the local tour operators to create a safer experience for all. Handrails, ropes, pathways, and ladders have been added inside the canyon to ensure safety.
  • Threat of vandalism & damage: The closing of the Antelope Canyon region after the floods led to an increase in the vandalism of their sacred land, and added to the damage caused within the slot canyons. 
  • A way of sharing their cultural identity: The Navajo have a rich culture and heritage, and a strong identity. By offering tours inside the canyon, they get a chance to share it with the world.
  • A way of preserving the land: Park management & guided tours create a way to monitor and limit damaging incidents & ensure the land’s protection. They prohibit access to the canyon for outside visitors without a Navajo guide, and the insights you get from your guide on the tour aim to impart the canyon’s preservation as a practice among people. 

​Plan your visit to Antelope Canyon >

Frequently asked questions about Antelope Canyon & the Navajo Nation

Why do I need a Navajo guide to visit Antelope Canyon?

The Navajo Nation carefully manages Antelope Canyon to preserve its fragile sandstone walls and to honor its cultural significance. Only certified Navajo guides are permitted to lead tours, ensuring visitor safety while also sharing insights into Navajo traditions, legends, and the canyon’s natural history.

What does Antelope Canyon mean to the Navajo people?

Known as “Tsé bighánílíní” in Navajo, meaning “the place where water runs through rocks,” Antelope Canyon is considered a sacred site. The Navajo view it as a spiritual place where the earth, water, and light come together in harmony.

Can I explore the Navajo Nation beyond Antelope Canyon?

Absolutely! The Navajo Nation is vast and filled with cultural and natural treasures. You can visit Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend Overlook, Navajo National Monument, and more on your visit.

Are there Navajo traditions or customs I should be aware of when visiting?

Yes, respect and mindfulness go a long way. Always ask before photographing a Navajo person, avoid touching rock formations, and refrain from picking up sand or stones as souvenirs. Remember, the land and its formations are sacred, and visitors are guests in a living cultural landscape.

Does the Navajo Nation have its own time zone?

The Navajo Nation observes Daylight Saving Time, unlike most of Arizona. But Antelope Canyon does follow this, and operates on Arizona time (which does not change).

How do the Navajo people benefit from Antelope Canyon tours?

Tour operations are run by Navajo families and tribal members. Your visit directly supports local Navajo communities through jobs, guide services, and cultural preservation. Every ticket helps sustain livelihoods while maintaining respect for the canyon’s heritage.

What’s the best way to show respect when visiting Navajo land?

Approach your visit with openness and gratitude. Listen to your guide, stay on marked paths, and avoid loud conversations or music. Visitors are encouraged to move respectfully and quietly through the canyon, treating it as a living, spiritual space.

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