About the Apache Indians of New Mexico
The Apache Indians of New Mexico originated as a southern branch of the Athabascan group of Indians, pushed farther and farther south by enemy tribes. Historians believe that the Apache arrived in the American southwest some time after 1000 AD but well before the Spanish began to settle the area. After arriving in the southwest, each band of the Apache Indians of New Mexico has its own history.
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Types
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Historically three large bands constituted the Apache Indians of New Mexico. They were the Mescalero Apache of the southeastern part of the state, the Jicarilla of northeastern New Mexico, and the Chiricahua of the southwestern part of the state. The Navajo of northwestern New Mexico are closely related to the Apache and are of the southern Athabaskan language group, but today are considered independent from the Apache Indians of New Mexico.
History
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When the Spanish arrived in New Mexico, the Mescalero Apache attacked missions and outposts in an attempt to drive off the foreign settlers. Despite numerous attempts by the Spanish, the Mescalero Apache refused to be missionized and they fiercely protected their territories from settlement by the Spanish, then the Mexicans, and eventually Anglo-Americans. Throughout the mid-1800s the Mescalero Apache fought off and on with United States military forces. In the 1880s a reservation was created for the Mescalero Apache in south-central New Mexico, and within in a short time most of the Mescaleros were living on or near the reservation.
The Jicarilla Apache attempted to continue their way of life despite Spanish and later Anglo-American encroachment on their lands. After many attempts at placing the Jicarilla Apache on reservations, the U.S. government finally succeeding in 1887 when land in their own territory was set aside for the Jicarilla reservation.
The Chiricahua Apache stood up to U.S. military aggression in the American southwest longer than any other Apache band. In the 1850s many white settlers and miners moved into Chiricahua land, bringing with them deadly disease and famine for the Chiricahua Apache.
The Chiricahua Apache waged a war against the U.S. military, led by the famous chiefs Cochise and Geronimo until they surrendered in 1886. The remaining Chiricahua were held as prisoners of ward and released in 1913 to either the Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico or lands in Oklahoma. -
Features
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All of the Apache Indians of New Mexico lived a similar lifestyle. They were a nomadic tribe of hunters and gatherers, with some bands practicing farming on a very small scale. The hides of animals like the buffalo and deer were used to make the clothing of the Apache Indians of New Mexico and were also used to construct their shelter. Most Apache of New Mexico lived in portable wickiups made of saplings and covered by brush or hides.
Identification
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The Apache Indians of New Mexico lacked any central political organization, instead identifying primarily with their smaller band unit. Each large band of the Apache Indians of New Mexico--the Mescalero, Jicarilla, and Chiricahua--was also broken up into smaller bands that normally consisted of large extended family units.
Today the Mescalero and Jicarilla Apache Indians of New Mexico are federally recognized tribes, while the Chiricahua Apache are divided between the Mescalero reservation in New Mexico and lands in Oklahoma.
Size
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At the height of their might in the early 1800s the Chiricahua Apache Indians had about 2,500 tribal members. These numbers were greatly reduced due to white settlement in their territory, war against the U.S. military, and the period of Chiricahua imprisonment. Today the Chiricahua Apache Indians have regained some of their former strength and number about 600.
The Mescalero Apache reservation currently reports over 3,000 members, but this number does include some Chiricahua and Lipan Apache from Texas.
There were approximately 800 Jicarilla Apache in 1845 before defeat by the U.S. military, and today the Jicarilla number about 1,800.
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