The Apaches were divided by the Europeans who came to their lands, but they were also divided up amongst themselves.  In his book about the Apache's, John Haley stated, "the fact that the Apaches are among the least known of the Indian tribes...they maintain a jealous reserve as to their habits, particularly those of a religious character."  They have been a very difficult people to research and find their history.

Many Apaches feel that they are misrepresented in history.  They believe that they have been placed in a category with all other Native Americans, and they don't care for that.  One thing that has been somewhat confusing is the origin of the Apaches.  The word "Apache" is believed to mean "enemy."  They were settled over different parts of the US, but mainly in the Southwest in Arizona.  They also lived in southeastern Colorado, southwestern New  Mexico, western Texas, and in Mexico.

The Apaches are believed to come from the North.  This is due to their language, which originates from its similarity to the languages spoken by the Natives of Canada.  The Apaches had a great deal of turmoil between their own tribes.  They eventually divided up into two groups:  the Western, and the Eastern Plains.  The Eastern Plains were more influenced by the style of the Jicarilla and Lipan Apaches.  The Jicarilla's were from the New Mexico-Colorado border, while the Lipan's were from eastern New Mexico.  The Western Apaches consisted of three tribes:  the Mescaleros, the Chiricahuas, and those that were the Western Apache.

Apaches are widely talked about in history even though they seem to be misinterpreted.  The population is a little hard to figure out.  They were not so large that they had more in their group than other tribes.  They are believed to be around 6,000 to 8,000 during those times.  They were known for their ferocity and fighting skills.

Apaches were allowed to marry outside the tribe, so it cold have been easy for them to grow.  Many times they would marry captives and have children with them that were also captives.

The men were about 5 foot 6 inches tall, and the women were about five feet tall.  Even though they were fairly short, they were very athletic and their build was unique and evenly proportioned.  They were known for always being on the warpath.

The Apaches had no written history.  Their story does not start in the Southwest, but in the Canada region.  The reason for their move south isn't quite clear.  I may have been due to the fact that there was no single source of food that could support their people for any length of time.  During their migration south, they broke into smaller bands that settled in various areas of the country.

The Apaches were a nomadic people constantly moving in small bands, living on game, native roots and berries, and on the spoils captured in raids.  According to white history, the Apaches have always been a hostile people; but in truth, their behavior could usually be attributed to the behavior of the white man (or misunderstandings) between the two peoples.  The most serious battles occurred under the leadership of Cochise, Victorio, and Geronimo.

Our history of them has been "colored" by TV, movies, and written fiction.  We have been made to believe they were thieves and savages.  Recent studies, however, have pointed out that most Native American tribes were peace loving until European settlers became greedy, belligerent, and cruel.

Many unsuccessful attempts were made to confine the tribes to reservations.  But, unlike the white man, they had no desire for acquisition of property.  On one occasion, Geronimo left the reservation and resumed a nomadic style of life.  After bloodshed on both sides, Geronimo and his band surrendered on September 4, 1886.  Along with many friendly Apaches, he was sent to Florida as a prisoner of the US government.  These Native Americans were later moved to Mt. Vernon, Alabama, then to Fort Sill, Oklahoma; where many of their descendants still reside.

Following the surrender of Geronimo, the Apaches generally became reconciled to reservation life.  Their hereditary homeland which had extended over a large area of Arizona and New Mexico, was now severely limited.  In just two generations, they were forced to adjust from a simple economy based upon a semi-nomadic way of life, to the complicated life of modern America.  This change was made without the educational advantage of their white neighbor.  Proud of their Apache heritage, many are still reluctant to accept the white man's way of life.

The site of the original San Carlos reservation was later found to be rich in mineral deposits and ideal sites for grazing livestock.  The land was so attractive to others that in 1872, the government bowed to commercial, agricultural, and mining interests and gradually took the valuable parcels of land from the reservation.  The reservation is now only 1/3 of its original size.  Today, the Apaches stress the importance of family and maintain their relationships through "clans."  About 10,000 Apaches live in the two communities of San Carlos and Bylas.  The majority have not married outside the tribe and are full-blooded Apaches.