The Hopi (We Were Here First: the Native Americans)

The Hopi have lived in one place longer than any other Native American tribe. Thousands of years ago, their ancestors settled where Arizona is today, raising crops and families. Hopi means peace. Instead of fighting, they traded food and blankets with other tribes. They welcomed visitors. And they developed a culture of underground religious ceremonies. When Europeans arrived, some of the newcomers tried to change the Hopi way of life. They built churches on top of sacred buildings. They outlawed Hopi practices. They destroyed villages. The peaceful Hopi fought back. Today, many live as their ancestors did. Their story is a story of survival. It is the story of a people who were here first. The Hopi have lived in one place longer than any other Native American tribe. Thousands of years ago, their ancestors settled where Arizona is today, raising crops and families. Hopi means peace. Instead of fighting, they traded food and blankets with other tribes. They welcomed visitors. And they developed a culture of underground religious ceremonies. When Europeans arrived, some of the newcomers tried to change the Hopi way of life. They built churches on top of sacred buildings. They outlawed Hopi practices. They destroyed villages. The peaceful Hopi fought back. Today, many live as their ancestors did. Their story is a story of survival. It is the story of a people who were here first.