The Treaty of Bosque Redondo formalized the return of the Navajo Nation to their ancestral lands after years of displacement. The Long Walk, which began in 1864, involved the forced relocation of the Navajo people from their homeland to the Bosque Redondo reservation. This journey was fraught with suffering, resulting in the deaths of many due to exposure, disease, and starvation during the treacherous march. The Treaty aimed to rectify the injustices faced by the Navajo and restore their autonomy over a defined territory in Arizona and New Mexico. It was signed on June 1, 1868, at a pivotal moment when the U.S. government sought to stabilize its relationships with Native American tribes following a series of conflicts and military campaigns in the Southwest.

Prominent leaders, including Manuelito and other Navajo representatives, played crucial roles in negotiating this treaty. The document established the terms for the Navajo people to return to their traditional lands and provided the framework for their governance. The treaty also included provisions for agriculture, education, and health care, attempting to integrate the Navajo with American settlers while preserving their cultural identity.

The return to their homelands marked a significant restoration of rights and a new chapter for the Navajo Nation. While the treaty set the stage for future relations with the U.S. government, it also laid the groundwork for subsequent struggles over land rights, cultural identity, and self-determination which would affect Native Americans for generations to come.