The Jicarilla Apache Nation, a vibrant and resilient people, calls the mountainous and rugged mesa country of northern New Mexico home. Their story is one of migration, adaptation, and a steadfast commitment to preserving their unique cultural heritage. As one of six Southern Athabaskan groups, their journey to the Southwest is a testament to their enduring spirit.
Origins and Migration
The Jicarilla Apache’s history is intertwined with the broader narrative of the Apache people. Their ancestors were part of a larger group of Athabaskan-speaking peoples who migrated from present-day Canada between 1300 AD and 1500 AD. This southward movement marked a significant turning point, leading to the development of distinct Apache cultures and languages in the American Southwest.
The precise reasons for this migration remain a subject of scholarly discussion, but theories suggest a combination of factors, including environmental changes, resource scarcity, and pressure from other migrating groups. Whatever the cause, the journey south was arduous, requiring adaptation to new landscapes and climates.
Upon reaching the Southwest, the Southern Athabaskan groups gradually differentiated, eventually forming distinct tribes, including the Jicarilla, Mescalero, Chiricahua, Lipan, White Mountain, and Western Apache. Each group developed its own unique cultural characteristics, reflecting the specific environments they inhabited and the interactions they had with neighboring tribes.
Traditional Territories and Way of Life
The traditional territory of the Jicarilla Apache Nation encompassed a vast expanse of land, stretching across more than 50 million acres in northern New Mexico, southern Colorado, and western Oklahoma. This diverse landscape provided a rich array of resources that sustained the Jicarilla people for centuries.
Historically, the Jicarilla were organized into two primary bands: the Llaneros, meaning "plains people," and the Olleros, meaning "mountain-valley people." The Llaneros primarily occupied the eastern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, constructing adobe homes and engaging in agriculture, likely influenced by the Pueblo peoples. They adopted pottery techniques and incorporated certain social and religious customs.
The Olleros, on the other hand, retained more of a Plains lifestyle for a longer period. While they also hunted buffalo, they incorporated Plains technologies like tipis, parfleches (rawhide envelopes), and travois (a type of sled). Both bands, however, identified themselves as Ndee, meaning "the People."
Subsistence for the Jicarilla revolved around hunting and gathering. They hunted buffalo (until the 17th century), deer, mountain sheep, elk, antelope, rabbits, and other game. They skillfully harvested wild plants, including agave shoots, berries, seeds, nuts, wild onions, potatoes, and grasses. The agave plant was especially important, its base baked in rock-lined pits for several days to create mescal, a sweet and nutritious food.
By the late 1600s, the Jicarilla learned farming techniques from the Pueblo peoples. They cultivated river bottomlands and built irrigation ditches, growing corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, peas, wheat, and melons. Trade and raids on Pueblo settlements supplemented their agricultural efforts when needed.
Cultural Identity and Social Organization
The Jicarilla Apache Nation possesses a rich cultural heritage, shaped by their unique history and environment. Their name, "Jicarilla," comes from the Spanish term meaning "little basket makers," a testament to their skill in crafting intricate and functional baskets.
Family plays a central role in Jicarilla society. Traditionally, the Jicarilla had little tribal cohesion and lacked a centralized political authority. The local group, composed of extended families, was the primary unit. These groups were loosely associated as bands, which collectively made up the tribe. Leadership was based on personal qualities, such as persuasiveness, bravery, and ceremonial knowledge. Decisions were made through consensus, and leaders were responsible for resolving conflicts within the group.
Women held a significant position in Jicarilla society. Residence was matrilocal, meaning lineage was traced through the mother’s side, and newly married couples typically resided in the bride’s village. The society was divided into matrilineal clans, further emphasizing the importance of women in kinship and social organization.
Gender roles were clearly defined, but not rigidly enforced. Women gathered, prepared, and stored food; built homes; carried water; gathered fuel; cared for children; tanned, dyed, and decorated hides; and wove baskets. Men hunted, raided, and waged war. They also made weapons, cared for horses and equipment, and created musical instruments.
Interactions with Outsiders
The arrival of the Spanish in the Southwest had a profound impact on the Jicarilla Apache. Initially, interactions involved trade, but the Spanish practice of enslaving captured Apaches led to increased hostility and conflict. After Mexico gained independence in 1821, they placed bounties on Apache scalps, further escalating the violence.
Following the war between Mexico and the United States in 1848, the Jicarilla found themselves under U.S. control. The U.S. government’s efforts to "pacify" the Apache led to increased military activity and a cycle of broken treaties and violence.
In 1887, the U.S. government established the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in northwestern New Mexico, west of Chama. This marked a turning point in the tribe’s history, forcing them to adapt to a new way of life within the confines of a reservation.
Governance and Modern Challenges
The Jicarilla Apache Nation is a federally recognized tribe with its own constitution and bylaws, established in 1937. The tribal government operates under a three-branch system, with a legislative tribal council and executive officers.
The tribe has faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including land loss, cultural assimilation, and economic hardship. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, while intended to promote self-determination, has also presented challenges by imposing an alien system of government on traditional Native structures.
Despite these challenges, the Jicarilla Apache have persevered, working to preserve their culture, strengthen their economy, and exercise their sovereignty. They have successfully pursued land claims, developed natural resources, and created economic opportunities for their members.
Economy and Tourism
Today, the Jicarilla Apache Nation’s economy is based on a variety of industries, including oil and gas resources, timber, sheep, and big game. The tribe also operates a ski enterprise, offering equipment rentals and trails for cross-country skiing.
Tourism plays an increasingly important role in the Jicarilla economy. The tribe hosts the Little Beaver Rodeo and Powwow in late July and the Gojiiya Feast Day on September 14-15 each year, drawing visitors from around the region. Hunting and fishing are also popular activities on the reservation.
The Jicarilla Apache Nation operates five campgrounds, providing camping opportunities for visitors. The gift shop at the Jicarilla museum offers locally crafted traditional items for sale, including basketry, beadwork, feather work, and finely tanned buckskin leather.
Cultural Preservation and Legacy
The Jicarilla Apache Nation is committed to preserving its cultural heritage for future generations. They maintain their language, customs, and traditions through education, ceremonies, and cultural programs.
Roughly 70 percent of Jicarillas still practice some form of traditional religion. The Jicarilla Apache also operate a museum showcasing their history and culture.
The story of the Jicarilla Apache is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and enduring spirit. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout their history, they have persevered, maintaining their cultural identity and working towards a brighter future for their people. Their legacy is one of strength, determination, and a deep connection to their land and traditions.