Sedona AZ (May 5, 2014) – The Sedona Heritage Museum is hosting the next in its Living History speaker series on Wednesday May 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the Museum. “History of the Yavapai – In Their Own Words” will be the subject presented by author Carolina Butler.
Butler started helping the Fort McDowell Yavapai keep their land in 1971 when the government wanted to relocate the tribe to make way for a dam. In 1973, Mike Harrison, the then oldest man of the tribe, asked Butler to write their history. Butler involved anthropologist Dr. Sigrid Khera who spent two and a half years interviewing and recording Mr. Harrison and another elder, John Williams. Both passed away in 1983.
So how did Butler come to author this definitive book? She explains that, “…sadly, Dr. Khera died in 1984 and I was left with the book project. I was able to complete this book — the only printed history of the Yavapai as told by elders in their own words.” She goes on: “My audiences and the book’s readers have learned things they never knew before. Everyone says they are touched when they read about the Yavapai and their history.”
Carolina Castillo Butler is Mexican-American, born in Arizona, and is an accidental activist and author and co-author on topics related to water and the Yavapai history in the American West.
This is a free event and open to the public.
Every year, the Sedona Heritage Museum presents a series of Living History talks. Speakers include descendants of pioneers, long-time residents with historical stories to share or other story-tellers about history. The Museum is located at 735 Jordan Road in Jordan Historical Park in Uptown Sedona and is open daily 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call 928-282-7038.
