Petrified Forest National Park Celebrates National American Indian Heritage Month, November 2011

Date: October 15, 2011
Contact: Hallie Larsen, 928-524-6228 x274

Petrified Forest, AZ-Petrified Forest National Park is pleased to promote awareness of and appreciation for the history and culture of American Indians during National Native American Heritage Month. This month is dedicated to recognizing the cultures, their lifeways, the designs and achievements of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Activities at Petrified Forest include:

Daily 10 am and 2 pm: Take a tour of Puerco Pueblo and Petroglyphs, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. Meet at the trailhead of Puerco Pueblo for one of the daily ranger-guided discovery walks at this ancient village.

Daily 12 pm: Take a tour of the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark and look for the design details that reflect the American Indian Heritage of the region, including murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie. Meet at Painted Desert Inn.

Every Saturday 9 am to 5 pm Cultural Demonstrators-artists from Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, or other tribes-will be featured at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark as a special opportunity to observe traditional skills in practice today:

• Nov. 5: The Goodlucks, Navajo silversmiths
  
  
• Nov. 12: Alice Hawthorne and Angeline Murphy, Navajo jewelry makers, beaders, and weavers
  
  
• Nov. 19: Richard Gorman, Hopi painter, illustrator, and carver
  
  
• Nov. 26: Otto Lucio, Zuni silversmith

Backcountry Adventures! These off-trail hikes are not accessible. Most hikes are best for children over 12. Be sure to bring plenty of water, bring snacks, appropriate shoes, and use sun protection. Remember that weather is very changeable at the park-be prepared! Space is limited: first-come, first-served.

Sunday, November 6: Off the Beaten Path: Petroglyph Canyon Hike-Discover petroglyphs in the backcountry! Bring field glasses. Meet at the Rainbow Forest Museum at 9 am before heading into the park.

Sunday, November 20: Off the Beaten Path: Lacey Point Hike-Enjoy the wild Painted Desert and discover petroglyphs! Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at 9 am before heading into the park.

For information call [phone], 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST); or write to the Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; or e-mail the park Superintendent.