Major Theme:

Prejudice and the "Long Walk" of the Navaho Indians to Fort Sumner during the 1860's
 

Summary:

One spring day, 14 year old Bright Morning and her friend Running Bird took their sheep to pasture.  Bright Morning was happy as she gazed across the beautiful valley that was the home of her tribe.  She turned when Black Dog barked, and it was then that she saw the Spanish slavers riding straight toward her.  The forced migration of Navahos from their original homeland in Arizona to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, is described from the Indian point of view in this historical fiction novel.

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Describe life in the Canyon de Chelly

Explain why life at the fort is hard on the captives

How does Tall Boy show he cares for Bright Morning?

Question #4

Why are the Navahos defeated after their escape to the ridge?

Question #5

Why is  Bright Morning able to survive being a captive and slave?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

How does Tall Boy show his loss of self-esteem?

What does the experience with Little Rainbow's baby show about Bright Morning's

Describe Bright Morning's relationship with her mother.

Contrast the courage of Nehana and Bright Morning on the escape from the white settlement.

Question #10

Describe some of the hardships the Navaho Indians faced as prisoners, being uprooted from their homeland?
 

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Draw a map of Canyon de Chelly.  Mark the location of the peach orchard, hogans, grazing areas, spring, cave, vegetable garden, and ridge.  Draw an arrow toward Fort Defiance.

Do some research and describe a tenebrae service.  Explain where it gets its name, the purpose of the ceremony, the day it is held each year, and the reason it ends in darkness.

Extension #4

Extension #5