Morenci High School - Copper Cat Yearbook (Morenci, AZ)

Page 8 text:

Arizona’s History Among the ancient peoples who came and went in the great Southwest.. . life was generally peaceful throughout the centuries preceeding the Classic Period. Here in Arizona, the last building of the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellers was erected in 1273. Tree ring dates indicate a protracted drought from 1276 to 1299. By the end of this period the cities of the central plateaus had all been abandoned. Many explanations of this have been made - - the drought, clashes between clans. Another possibility has also been suggested. About this time nomadic bands of Athapascan speaking peoples swept down from the north, raiding this peaceful land. These newcomers - - today’s Navajoes and Apaches - - carved a place in the Southwest for themselves, and may have driven the Ancient Ones southward. Whatever the cause, the Pueblos left their homesites and migrated south. In time they regrouped in several areas; the Ilopi in northeastern Arizona; the Tano and Keres along the upper Rio Grande; and the Zuni near the New Mexico border, in an area that later would be named Cibola. And here the Indians rested for two centuries - - a day in the history of the Southwest - - until the white man came. The first centuries that followed were filled with misunderstandings and turmoil, but eventually treaties were made with the Indian nations. The ensuing years have gradually brought understanding and a recognition of mutual goals. And no citizen of our country has given more valiant service to its armed forces than the Indian - American. 4

Page 7 text:

THE TAMING GOD”, of Navajo mythology in a sand painting made by Francis Miller.

Page 9 text:

Merges Infinite Past . . . Future Indian artists and craftsmen of silver, weaving, and clay, have w on international recognition and acclaim. The turquoise found in the Morenci mine is made into silver jewelry, and is prized by all. Perhaps the most important of all the Indian’s contributions to America, is a sense of permanence; the sense of an infinite past that implies an infinite future. No longer are there separate histories of our country. They have merged, as have its peoples; and all are proud to be AMERICANS. TABLE OF CONTENTS Story of the Year pages 6-53 Classmates 54-93 Organizations 94-117 Sports 118-137 Patrons 138-151 Senior Register 152-155 Index 156-160 AS FLAGS WAVED OVER A deserted schoolyard. students settled down to books, bells, and classroom routines. 5