I have no basis for an opinion. A Navajo friend of mine writes:
Two perspectives on this topic;
First and foremost – old ways of fighting was banned on military Indian reservations [1885 to 1923]. By the time the musket and revolvers came around most of the old ways were put aside. If any Indian was caught practicing martial art or any type of warfare activities you were put in a cell. In some cases, even when the people danced to ask the great creator for guidance – it was thought that they were going up raise. The result was massacres of elders, women and children.
No one realizes that the prior American Indian generations were POW’s from about 1820’s to 1972-73. The Indian Tribe - Nations were finally given sovereignty – self determination, self governance. Yet there are still Bureau of Indian Affairs offices still alive and well on most Indian reservations. The BIA used to be part of the Department of Indian Affairs under the Department of Interior – War Department.
Look at stories of Geronimo – who was caught by his own people [Scotts], imprisoned to Fort Sill, Virginia, Florida, and back to Fort Sill. He was even taken to Europe for the World’s Fair. Back home on the Military reservations – now Indian Reservations, all arms were taken away – tomahawks, spears, bows & arrows, knifes. The people were given food, blankets, tents for shelter, etc. No need for weapons to hunt and gather anymore. The stories are sad – I have heard them oral stories and read some accounts in history.
I am very skeptical due to what history has stated. In addition, I grew up on an Indian reservation – all I saw was some boxing, judo, some karate. I never encountered anyone using Native American Indian martial arts of any type. Once in while I saw a bunch of drunks fighting in town, social gatherings, etc. Most of the best fighters were people who came back from the military.
Second perspective – I heard of a few Native Fighting systems that were being promoted in martial arts magazines. There was one from Oklahoma – Apaches, one from California – Pomo’s and one from Texas – Comanche. On other forums, I have even heard that there was Navajo system that someone had learned in Northern Arizona from a police officer. To me it’s Native fantasy or infatuation, half truths, off shoots of kenpo, shotokan, and kung fu.
I was asked and even talked about in some forums [World Modern Arnis Alliance, Dillman Karate International] regarding me being Navajo and that I would be the best person to talk to.
The warrior path was is a part of the man’s rites of passage from childhood to adulthood. Most of those rites of passage ceremonies are no longer practiced on the reservations. Just in a few families that I am aware of still practice them.
I met a man name Kurt Seanez while taking a Wing Chun seminar in Albuquerque with Phillip Romero. He shared with me that there are dances which depict some martial arts movements. Kurt was invited the Navajo Reservation to a ceremony. There he witnessed the dances. He told the host that there are martial arts movements in those dances.
