Canyon De Chelly is a beautiful canyon located in Chinle, Arizona that holds great importance to the Navajo, both historically and spiritually. Its historical significance is two-fold. Canyon De Chelly was once home to the Anasazi, "The Ancient Ones." This people group disappeared centuries ago without a trace and the Navajo believe themselves to be their descendants. Thus, the canyon is an important connection between the Navajo and their heritage. The second historically significant event to occur in Canyon De Chelly is a negative one in their history. In 1864 Kit Carson betrayed the Navajo and after burning their crops and killing their livestock, starved the Navajo into submission. The Navajo were then escorted to the Bosque Redondo in Eastern New Mexico, only to return home in 1868.
The spiritual significance of Canyon De Chelly can be found in the many ancient stories staged inside the walls of this majestic canyon. One such story is centered around a magnificent formation called "Spider Rock." The Navajo believe that this was the home of "Spider Woman", a deity that taught the Navajo people how to weave the rug. Young children were warned that if they did not behave, "Spider Woman" would let down her web-ladder and take them home to eat them!