The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, also known as the Plains Apache, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and rich cultural heritage of the Apache people. Distinguished as a unique linguistic and cultural group, the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma traces its ancestry to Athabascan-speaking Apache groups who have called the Great Plains home since the 15th century. They are recognized as part of the Eastern Apache branch, a group that includes the Lipan, Jicarilla, and Mescalero Apache tribes.
Origins and Identity
The history of the Apache people is steeped in both oral tradition and academic debate. While Anglo theories often suggest a migration from Northern Canada to the Southwest around the 1500s, Apache oral history presents an alternative narrative. This narrative posits that the movement was, in fact, in the opposite direction, with the majority of Athabascan speakers migrating north, while a segment remained in their ancestral homeland. Regardless of the precise migratory patterns, it is generally accepted that approximately 5,000 Apaches inhabited the Southwest by the late 17th century. The Apache people themselves maintain that they have always been present in the region.
The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma holds a unique position within the broader Apache cultural landscape. Their identity is rooted in their distinct language, customs, and historical experiences on the Great Plains. This unique identity has been preserved and celebrated through generations, even in the face of immense challenges.
Tribal Governance and Recognition
The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe, possessing the legal standing and rights associated with that designation. The tribe’s headquarters are located in Anadarko, Oklahoma. The tribe operates under a constitution and bylaws established in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936. This framework empowers the tribe to govern its affairs and manage its resources.
The governing body of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma is a Business Committee. This committee consists of a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary/treasurer, and two additional members. These elected officials serve two-year terms, with elections held every two years in March. The Business Committee is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the tribe, managing tribal assets, and representing the tribe in interactions with other governments and organizations.
Language and Cultural Identity
Language serves as a cornerstone of cultural identity for the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma. The tribe speaks a Plains Apache dialect, a member of the Apachean language family, which in turn belongs to the broader Athabascan language family. This linguistic connection links the Apache to other Athabascan-speaking groups across North America, including the Navajo in the Southwest and various tribes in Alaska and Canada.
While the number of fluent speakers of Plains Apache has dwindled over time, efforts are underway to revitalize and preserve the language. These efforts include language classes, cultural programs, and the development of language resources. The preservation of the Plains Apache language is seen as essential to maintaining the tribe’s unique cultural heritage.
Territory and Land
Historically, Apachean peoples roamed across a vast territory encompassing eastern Arizona, northern Mexico, New Mexico, western and southwestern Texas, and southern Colorado. The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma specifically occupied areas within the Great Plains.
Today, the tribe jointly owns 7,592.61 acres of federal trust land in Caddo County, Oklahoma, in collaboration with the Kiowa and Comanche Tribes. This land base represents a portion of the reservation established by the 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty for the Kiowa Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Comanche tribes. However, the allotment process during the early 20th century significantly diminished the reservation, with much of the land passing into non-Indian hands. In addition to the jointly owned land, 274,312.53 allotted acres supplement the tribal land base.
Social Organization and Traditions
The family holds a central position in Apache social and cultural life. Traditionally, Apache society was organized around extended family groups that operated independently. These groups were connected by shared dialect, customs, intermarriage, and geographical proximity. While these groups might occasionally gather, they rarely acted as a unified tribal division or nation.
This decentralized social structure posed challenges for colonizing powers, who found it difficult to negotiate with the Apache as a single entity. Each family group had to be treated with separately, a complex and often frustrating undertaking.
Despite the changes brought about by colonization, many traditional Apache customs and practices continue to be observed. These include ceremonies, dances, and oral traditions that transmit knowledge and values from one generation to the next.
Customs and Daily Life
The arrival of the horse in the late 17th century transformed Apache life, enabling greater mobility for hunting and raiding. Buffalo held a central position in the Apache economy, providing sustenance, clothing, tools, weapons, and shelter.
Traditional Apache clothing consisted of deerskin shirts, leggings, and moccasins for men, and short deerskin skirts and high boot-top moccasins for women. Over time, Apache clothing styles adapted, incorporating elements from Mexican and American cultures.
Apache dwellings, known as "Kowa," were typically dome-shaped structures made of cottonwood or other poles, thatched with grass or brush. In later years, some Apache tribes adopted the tipi, a cone-shaped dwelling covered with animal skins, particularly when traveling long distances to hunt buffalo.
Religion and Spirituality
The Apache are deeply religious, with a complex mythology and a pantheon of deities. The sun is considered the greatest source of power. Culture heroes, such as White-Painted Woman and her son, Child of the Water, also play prominent roles in Apache spiritual beliefs. Protective mountain spirits, known as "ga’an," are represented by masked dancers in certain ceremonies, reflecting potential Pueblo influences.
Supernatural power is a central theme in Apache ceremonialism. Shamans facilitate the acquisition of power, which can be used for various purposes, including war, luck, rainmaking, and life-cycle events. However, power can also be used for malevolent purposes, and witchcraft and incest are considered unforgivable offenses.
Today
Today, members of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma work in a variety of professions in the Anadarko and Fort Cobb areas. The tribe actively works to preserve its cultural heritage through language revitalization efforts, cultural programs, and community events. Tribal identity and traditions continue to flourish, demonstrating the resilience and enduring spirit of the Apache people.
Resources
- Official Website: http://www.apachetribe.org/
- Apache Addresses, Enrollment and Blood Quantum Requirements: http://www.aaanativearts.com/apache/apache_enrollment_blood_quantum.htm
- Apache Legends: https://www.aaanativearts.com/legends-symbols/apache-legends