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It is the morning of January 12, 1864.

Snow blankets the valley floor of Canyon De Shea in what is now the Navajo Nation of Arizona.

Steep, rugged walls of red sandstone rise on either side, hiding narrow, treacherous trails, caves, and ledges known only to the Dene.

The only sounds are of birdsong, the rush of the river, and the hushed whispers of men and women as they wait and watch

for an enemy that draws ever closer. Nearly 300 Dene cling to Fortress Rock, a stony outcrop

commanding the canyon below.

Families from all across the homeland have gathered in this place,

seeking refuge from the U.S. Army.

Behind them, they have left burned villages, ruined crops,

slaughtered livestock and the bodies of those who were not able to escape.

Canyon DeShay has been the Diné sanctuary for generations.

Its towering cliffs funnel attackers into narrow approaches, exposing them to defenders above.

But this is the dead of winter. Food is scarce. Supplies are dwindling. There is nowhere else to go.

For now, they wait, listening. The snow muffling every footfall.

Fingers tighten around weapons. In a matter of hours, the U.S. cavalry will ride into this stone sanctuary,

and what follows will open one of the darkest chapters in American history.

The destruction of Denei resistance and the onset of the long walk of the Navajo.

Our guest today is Dr. Jennifer Dennettdale, professor and chair of American Studies at the University of New Mexico,

and author of the books Reclaiming Dine History, the legacies of Navajo Chief Manuelito and Juanita,

...