Picture from Western History and Genealogy

"He was, indeed, quite a young man. Well over six feet tall, he walked straight and broad-shouldered, his well-fitting buckskins rippling along his sinewy arms and legs. He draped a fine blanket across his shoulders, and kept his quiver bristling with new arrows." (Biography)

Manuelito was born about 1818 near the Bear's Ears due west of Blanding in southeastern Four Corners area of Utah.

He was a violent war raiding chief of the Navajo (Diné) people who fought not only the oppressive U.S. military but also the Mexicans, Hopis, Pueblo, Utes, Comanches, and Apaches.

Manuelito is also known as Ashkii Diyinii (Holy Boy), Dahaana Baadaané (Son-in-Law of Late Texan), Haastin Ch'il Haajinááh Jiltaa (Black Weeds), "Bullet Hole" for a wound in his chest.

Along with other Navajos including a sizable herd of sheep, he avoided capture by the U. S. Army which was aided by Col. Christopher "Kit" Carson. Manuelito escaped "The Long Walk" to Fort Sumner, Arizona. Those, both old and young who did not keep up with the forced march, were shot by the soldiers or left behind to die. The number of dead reached 300+ men, women and children.

In 1868 Manuelito was instrumental in securing and signing along with 28 other tribal leaders (each with their "x" mark) a 13 article treaty granting the Navajo people a reservation, the greater part being in Arizona, extending also into Utah, and New Mexico.

In 1893 Manuelito, like so many other Native Americans, died from the pale face imported measles, complicated by pneumonia. His Grave is found in Manuelito Springs, Ch'il Haajin (Black Weeds). Later, Ma'ii teehitlizhi ("Coyote fell in the watering hole"). Now "Coyote Canyon''.

G. William Wiersdorf

See: SUU, Edward Leo Lyman; The Navajo: A Brief History, Thomas G. Alexander; Fort Sumner, Bosque Redondo; Duckster, Native Americans - Navajo Tribe; NMSU, Treaty between the United States of America and the Navajo Tribe of Indians; Navajo Times, Manuelito's Legacy.