Woods Canyon Pueblo

Walter BigBee is a member of the Comanche Nation of Indigenous People. He is a professional photographer who tells stories with his images. As a photographer, Walter has collaborated on many interesting projects, including work for the Smithsonian Institution and many Native American organizations. He is also a skilled craftsman who tans animal hides using traditional methods, fashions containers and musical instruments out of gourds, and makes beautiful drums, moccasins, and beaded textiles and jewelry. Here are Walter's thoughts about the importance of water to Native American people.

(What's up? How are you? My name is Always Searching.) I am from the Comanche Nation of Indigenous People. Comanches were once a part of the Shoshone Nation. Long after people lived at Woods Canyon, my people migrated from the plateau region of Wyoming and Idaho onto the southern plains of Texas and New Mexico. On that journey they passed through the area of Woods Canyon. Comanche people have had a close relationship with the Pueblo people of the Rio Grande Valley and played an important role in the history of that region. My wife is from the pueblo of Tesuque in New Mexico, where we live. Her ancestors might have lived at Woods Canyon Pueblo. The ancient Pueblo people must have had their own name for this village, but it is long forgotten.

"Because there is so little rain in the Southwestern United States, it is very important for people who live here to conserve water. Nowadays it's so easy for us to have water in our homes—all we have to do is turn on the faucet. In the days when people lived at Woods Canyon Pueblo, collecting water was not so easy. The village sat high on the cliff, but water had to be brought up from the bottom of the canyon. The people would walk to the springs and carry the heavy water back to their homes.

"All living things must have water to stay alive. Water has a soul like all other living things. It must never be wasted or polluted. Water is the home for many living creatures. Water is so powerful that it is able to do many wondrous things. Water can be aggressive and move mountains to create canyons. Water is peaceful—when it cools the heat from the sun. Sometimes water is fun—when it snows and we go sledding. Water is also very beautiful in the way it shimmers in the light to make different colors. It can even show us what we look like. Water is very sacred to Native American people."