ing a 200, what do you think of? Giraffes, zebras, tigers, seals, polar bears? The Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park doesn’t have any of those animals and probably never will. The zoo is home only to animals and plants found on the Navajo Indian Reservation. It is the only tribally operated 200 in the United States, according to zookeeper Loline Hathaway. The Navajo Nation Zoo was started in 1962 by the Tribal Museum as an exhibit for the annual Navajo Nation Fair. At the close of the fair, officials found that the bear “borrowed” from New Mexico Game and Fish had actually been donated to the tribe. Today, over 130 animals live in the 200. ‘There are 34 kinds of wild animals, including wolves, coyotes, cougars, bears and bobcats. The 200 is also home to domestic animals found on the reservation, such as sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and a pony. Some of the animals have special significance in the Navajo clan system. The clan system con- sists of about 60 groups. The Navajo are consid- ered related to everyone in their own clan (they take their mother’s clan as their own) as well as their father’s clan, The porcupine is the guardian of the Mud Clan People, Hashtlishnii. The black bear is the guardian of the Towering House Clan, Kinyaa” anii. Cougars are considered the guardians of the One-Walks-Around Clan. Some of the animals have other significance in the Navajo culture. According to the Navajo A Navajo Showcase of Local Nature creation story, the turkey was the last to leave the flooding waters. The turkey brought important crop seeds to the Navajo. In this same story, the badger dug the hole to the next world so that the Diné (Navajo) could escape the floods. The zo also has medicinal and edible plants on display and several traditional buildings. The crib-log hogan is the traditional six-or eight-sided Navajo home. It always faces east to greet the rising sun. The shade house, or chaha' oh, is a shaded area outdoors. The forked stick hogan is constructed of three forked poles covered with logs, brush and mud. A sweat lodge is also at the z00. The lodge is traditionally used for cleansing and purification. ‘The Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park is located in Window Rock, Arizona. The z00 is currently funded by donations and a small budget from the Navajo Tribe. If you’re ever in the Southwest, be sure to visit the zoo and learn more about the animals of the region and the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. —Jane Mouttet, Window Rock, Arizona. Did You Know? + Black bears are the most sacred animal to the Navajo people. + Coyote is a trickster in many Navajo stories. + Most of the animals in the zoo could not survive in the wild because they have either been injured or are used to people. Page 8 ‘Skipping Stones Vol. 15 no. 2Copyright © 2003 EBSCO Publishing