Send a Runner: A Navajo Honors the Long Walk

By Jim Kristofic and Edison Eskeets

Book Overview

2022 Southwest Books of the Year

The Navajo tribe, the Din?, are the largest tribe in the United States and live across the American Southwest. But over a century ago, they were nearly wiped out by the Long Walk, a forced removal of most of the Din? people to a military-controlled reservation in New Mexico. The summer of 2018 marked the 150th anniversary of the Navajos' return to their homelands. One Navajo family and their community decided to honor that return. Edison Eskeets and his family organized a ceremonial run from Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, to Santa F?, New Mexico, in order to deliver a message and to honor the survivors of the Long Walk.

Both exhilarating and punishing, Send a Runner tells the story of a Navajo family using the power of running to honor their ancestors and the power of history to explain why the Long Walk happened. From these forces, they might also seek the vision of how the Din?--their people--will have a future.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826362338
• ISBN13: 9780826362339
• Release Date: April 2021
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.7" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

I loved this book!

After spending over 20 yrs exploring the Navajo reservation and coming across Edison at Hubbell Trading post, I thought I knew a little about the Dine and there experience with both the Spanish and the Americans. I learned so much more listening to this book. I truly enjoyed the narrator and coauthor tell the story. I felt like if I had a month with him I could speak Navajo fluently. I have recommended this book to so many people I know. I'm buying a hard copy so next time I see Edison I can get him to sign a copy of the book. Anyone who spends time in the 4 Corners area or has an interest in the Dine people should read this book.