The Hidden History of Native American Enslavement

The New Yorker

by Geraldo Cadava

February 26, 2026

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The Hidden History of Native American Enslavement A new public history project sheds light on the often-overlooked centuries of Indigenous slavery, revealing a brutal system that persisted long after it was swept under the rug by euphemisms. The story of Rosario, a Navajo woman enslaved in New Mexico in 1860, highlights this painful chapter. Captured with her daughter, Rosario was sold to Father Antonio José Martínez for 150 pesos and renamed Rosario. Despite later claims of liberation, historical records show Martínez sought to keep Rosario as his "maidservant," even after the Civil War's end. The narrative surrounding Rosario is both tragic and complex. While accounts like Dora Ortiz Vásquez’s booklet present a romanticized version of her life under Martínez, it glosses over the harsh realities of slavery. Rosario was forced to work for the family that owned her daughter, Soledad, who longed to reunite with her mother. Martínez eventually purchased Soledad, but his actions revealed a deeper desire to maintain control over Rosario’s freedom. The project's director, Estevan Rael-Gálvez, emphasizes that Rosario was never truly free. After the Civil War, Martínez petitioned to keep Rosario as his ward, continuing her captivity in different forms. Even after Martínez's death, Rosario remained in servitude under his son George Romero and wife. Her story underscores how the transition from slavery to "liberation" often meant shifting forms of control rather than true freedom. This hidden history matters because it challenges mainstream narratives that erase Indigenous suffering and contributions. By uncovering these stories, we gain a more accurate understanding of the Americas' past. The project aims to document every case of Indigenous slavery, ensuring their voices are heard. Rosario’s life serves as a stark reminder of the resilience and strength of Native people, even in the face of unimaginable oppression. The public history project not only illuminates this forgotten chapter but also calls for a more honest reckoning with colonialism's legacy. By highlighting stories like Rosario's, it encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths about our shared history. This work is vital for cultural understanding, as it reveals how Indigenous people were systematically dehumanized and exploited, often in ways that are barely acknowledged today. In conclusion, the project’s focus on Rosario and others like her is a powerful step toward truth

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/26/2026