Significance

• Native Americans were the original North American inhabitants, and as European settlers conquered lands, some tribes assimilated peacefully while others fought to the bitter end. The Apaches were of the latter category, and at one time their tribe had dwindled down to 30 to 50, and bounties for their scalps ranged from $50 to $100. Today, the Apaches Indian culture thrives. Inter-tribal powwows aim to bring the Native American community together and educate others.
  
  

Time Frame

• Historians disagree on when the Apache Indian tribe arrived in the Southwest, but most agree it was in the 16th century. In the 1500s, the Spaniards came to North America, bringing with them horses. Some horses were abandoned, allowed to run free, populate and eventually be acquired by the Apaches. In other cases, Apaches would steal the animals from Spanish settlements. The introduction of horses greatly increased the hunting and warfare activity of the Apache Indian culture. By the late 17th century, the Comanche Native American tribe had pushed the Apaches further south and west to Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Kansas and northern Mexico.
  
  

History of

• The Apaches were at war on and off with the Spaniards, and eventually were paid to live on designated land, akin to the reservation arrangements the Americans would later forge. This did not last, however, and as the 1849 Gold Rush started to take effect, the Apaches were also under threat by the Americans. This led to a full-scale eradication effort of the Apache Indian culture, and they fought back hard. This was known as the Apache Wars, led by such heroes as Geronimo and Cochise. By the 19th Century, the remaining Apaches were shipped off to Florida, where they suffered from various diseases and a harsh climate. Eventually they were sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
  
  

Features

• There are seven main populations of Apaches; Western Apache, Navajo, Chiricahua, Mescalero, Jicarilla, Lipan and the Plains Apache. The primary Indian reservations are Camp Verde, White Mountain and San Carlos (Arizona); Jicarilla and Mescalero (New Mexico); and Fort Sill and Anadarko (Oklahoma).
  Women are revered in the tribes and families form along matriarchal lines. However, men are the chiefs of the tribes, and medicine men--experts in plants, herbs and spirits rank higher than the chiefs.
  Symbolism abounds in Apache Indian culture, and the Apaches worship a creator, in addition to other gods that represent aspects of the earth. Rituals are held for younger Apaches as they come of age.
  
  

Misconceptions

• There are many misconceptions about the Apache Indian culture. For example, while Apaches were fighters who raided for food, they were gentle people. In their religion, it was believed that it was not sinful to fight or raid somebody outside of the tribe. If a tribal outsider did a favor for the Apaches, he was adopted into the tribe and treated as kin.
  Another misconception is that idea of the Rain Dance, which does not exist. If Native Americans want rain, they will pray. Additionally, foraging for arrowheads and other fossils are not condoned by Native Americans. It is considered disruptive and disrespectful to the dead.