The Apache tribe is a group of Native American tribes in the southwestern United States, divided into six regional groups and speaking a common language. They have their own laws, government, and police, and operate their own services. Economic support comes from various sources, including casino gaming.
The Apache tribe is the generic name given to a group of Native American tribes in the southwestern United States that are culturally related to one another. Historically, the many branches of the Apache tribe controlled land that stretched from central Texas to central Arizona and from northern Mexico to the southern Great Plains. Apache tribes now occupy land only in parts of Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. There are more than 50,000 members of the Apache tribe and they are divided into six regional groups: Mescalero, Jicarilla, Chiricahua, Lipan, Plains Apache and Western Apache. Besides having similar cultures, these groups are bonded together by speaking a common language, Southern Athabaskan.
Members of the Mescalero Apache tribe live on a reservation located in southeastern New Mexico. The Jicarilla Apache Tribe also lives in New Mexico mostly on their own reservation in the northwestern part of the state. Members of the Chiricahua Apache tribe inhabit the border region of New Mexico and Arizona. Most Chiricahuas live on the Mescalero Reservation, but a small band moved to Oklahoma after the tribe was freed from being prisoners of war in the 19th century and is now known as the Fort Sill Apache Tribe.
Lipan Apache numbers have dwindled, and the few who remain live on the Mescalero Reservation or in Texas. The Plains Apache reside primarily on a reservation in southwestern Oklahoma. The Western Apache live on several reservations and are the only Apache group still living within Arizona’s borders.
Even though the members of the tribes are US citizens, each of the Apache tribes have their own laws, government and police and operate their own services. In the past, Apache bands were led by a chief chosen by a tribal council. In modern times, most Apache tribes still govern themselves through a system of tribal councils. Most Apaches speak English, but many continue to speak their native language as well. Although most members of the tribe live in modern apartments or houses, some live in modified traditional housing because their religious beliefs require houses to be burned down and rebuilt after a death in the family.
Economic support for the Apache tribes comes from a variety of sources. The development of mineral resources, tourism, livestock and timber provide sources of income for the tribes. Casino gaming is another major source of income and job creation.
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