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The Hopi Indians are a Pueblo Indian tribe from Northeast Arizona. They developed a complex matrilineal society with various clans which relied on agriculture for sustenance. At the center of the Hopis' society was the benevolent spirit god called kachina. When the Hopis were placed on a reservation life changed dramatically for the tribe.

In the nineteenth century many Native American tribes were forced to attend Americanized educational institutes after they were placed on reservations. The children's clothes were burned, their hair was cut, and many were given new "American" names. Many of the children resisted, hiding from whites who forced them to attend classes. The Indians were segregated into two classes: "hostiles" and "friendlies." Hostiles were those who resisted the white man's way and friendlies were submissive. The children of hostiles were rounded up by the police and forced to attend school. It was...