The tall mountains and steep mesas of northeastern Arizona are home to the Hopi, "the gentle people." Skilled farmers, they devised dry farming methods to grow crops where water was scarce. Their apartment-style homes are called pueblos. One of the oldest settlements in the U.S., a pueblo called Old Oraibi, still stands.

The Hopi were excellent builders. They made their homes with adobe and set doors high up on the rooftop. Entry was by ladder. They live peacefully with the Navaho and shared their farming, weaving, and jewelry-making skills with them. Kachina spirits were a part of their daily life. Lessons passed from parent to child using Kachina dolls.

In the 1500s, sheep, goats, cattle and horses were introduced into the Southwest by the Spanish. The Navajo soon became expert shepherds and riders and conducted raids on the Spanish and other neighboring peoples. During the 1700s, many Navajo moved to the Canyon de Chelly in northwestern Arizona, a fertile region with steep canyon walls.