Dagoteh My Friends

Dagoteh is the Apache word for hello. It is just one of the many things I learned about the Apache people on this mind opening trip.
Today my brother and I talked to the principal of the St. Charles Elementary School, which is the school that the school supplies that my family and I collected from the students at Judge, were sent. She expressed a deep gratitude to the students of Judge, my family, and myself. She told us how much these school supplies meant to the children at St. Charles and thanked us for all that we have done.
Today was also the day that my brother and I finished the renovation project in the church. We measured, cut, sanded, and put up yucca stalks all week and we finally finished the project.
We received the chance to go the Apache Cultural Center on the Rez. There was so much information there on the history of these people and their beliefs about creation and nature. I realized that the reason that the Apache are such a respectful and kind people is because it is embedded in their beliefs. They believe that the creator, Usen, told the Apache people that they should care for those who had less, be respectful and proper in war and during the hunt, and to care for nature and all of its wonders. We met the sole employee of the cultural center, an Apache man named Herb. He taught us about the Apache people and shared his experiences with us. It was amazing to see the way he talked about his Apache beliefs. These people have such a rich history and are proud in everything they do.

Myself, Herb and My Brother

However, on the way to the cultural center, we also witnessed the darker side of the Rez. A drunk beggar came to the Church asking for food and clothing. His clothes were dirty, he smelled terrible,and he looked mangy and tired. This was just another example of the alcoholism that has run rampant on the Rez. Some Reservations have taken a hard line on this issue and have imposed a system that evicts residents off the Rez if they have been caught drinking three times and forbids them from ever returning. Sister Ruth, a nun here on the Rez, explained that this may be a hard thing to do but it is better than having the alcohol destroy whole reservations. She said, "But until the result is immediate[i.e. eviction from the Rez], the drinking will continue causing many more deaths." This is the side of the Rez that many people don't like to acknowledge (or just don't care about) but is an aspect of Rez life that deserves more attention. This situation will not be able to correct itself and it will continue to worsen without intervention. However, change is possible with dedication of tribal leaders to addressing the problem and the birth of hope within the hearts of the people. Hope for their people free of addiction and poverty.

Dinner with Robert

Before the Yucca

Today, my brother and I continued our renovation project with the yucca stalks. We finished a chapel and are ready to start on the second one. It is very cool to see the project getting close to being complete.

The First Finished Chapel

I went to dinner with an Apache elder named Robert that I had met at Sunday Mass. It was my first chance to talk one on one with an Apache. It was an informative and interesting meal. I had a lot of questions and I learned a lot about the Apache people. Judging from conversation with Robert, these Apache people are kind. They are respectful of everyone they meet. I learned about the Native Americans in today's information age and how they deal with everyday life on the Rez. One thing that Robert explained was the confusion he felt when it came to the conditions on the Rez. He found it so hard to understand that so many people in this country give so much to people outside of this country and nothing to those who live in their own country. The people of San Carlos and so many others endure the horrible aspects that so many third-world countries do. He was however not angry whatsoever. He was just confused at why nobody cared for his people even though they are in such need. He also explained to me what it is like being an Apache man in today's American culture. He acknowledged that it is a little difficult to balance living in an American culture and embracing his rich Apache background. He told me that it was almost like living in two worlds: the Apache world and the American world. Robert explained to me how he viewed himself as a person. He embraces the fact that he is American and one of the proudest of all. But he also said that he will never forget his Apache background and he will always embrace that he is an Apache.
Robert went on to explain to me the complex relationships that Apache people have with one another. He elaborated on how the Apache believe that they are all related and, even though there may not be documents to prove it, there is a special bond between them that will endure anything. Robert's kindness showed me one more thing: these people who have close to nothing are willing to share all they have with anyone who asks. He took me to dinner even though I had barely met him. There is a certian sense of humanitarianism and love that the Apache have for other human beings. Robert showed unrivaled kindness and hospitality that I will never forget.

Hugh and The Scorpion Problem

Putting the Yucca in the Beams

Today, my brother and I started on a renovation project in two small chapels adjacent to the church. We have to measure and cut yucca stalks and place them securely in the ceiling beams of the chapels. The overwhelming heat makes this task more difficult than one would think. A young Apache man named Hugh who attends St. Charles parish worked with us today. He was very quiet and reserved, just as many of the Apache people are, but he also had a great sense of humor and would let a chuckle go rather often.


Measuring the Yucca

We also went to dinner at the house of a doctor, Dr. Kim, who works in the clinic here on the Rez. He is a very kind man and has been working on the reservation for six years. His commitment to making a change here is inspiring. He talked to us about a project that he has been working on with a new anti-venom to treat scorpion stings. Scorpion stings are somewhat of a problem on the Rez. Most homes here do not have air conditioning and the summer months can get extremely hot even at night. To deal with this some Apache people sleep outside. Scorpions are abundant down here and so it is not hard to see how this has become a problem. Previous to this new anti-venom, the Apache had to deal with the excruciating pain caused by scorpion stings for a rather long period of time before relief. Children have even died from the stings. The pain caused by a scorpion sting was described by the doctor as a "10 out of 10 on the pain scale. That means it's an inconsolable pain." However, the pain from a scorpion can be treated with an anti-venom, whereas the pain from chronic addiction, poverty, and disease can not be readily alleviated.

Mass with a Twist and School Doors

My Brother and I in the Church

Today, my brother and I woke up to go to Sunday morning Mass at St. Charles parish. It was the most interesting and different Catholic service that I have ever attended. At the time of consecration,the priest held in his hands eagle feathers and a bag of pollen (both of which are Apache symbols). Father Gino said the Mass facing East to represent the Apache belief that East is the mother or life giving direction. Father Gino's homily explained the how the Apache see God as a father and as a mother.
It is facinating to see how the Apache people can integrate their culture and beliefs about nature with their Catholic faith in a way that they respect both and give themselves fully to both.
I also had my first interactions with some Apache residents here at San Carlos. I met a man named Robert before Mass. He was weary looking man (like most people living here) with blood shot eyes and teeth that were in need of dental care. However within the first five minutes of our conversation he had already offered to take me to a Geronimo monument about 20 miles away. He also offered to take my brother and I out to dinner at a restaurant in a nearby town that is popular among the Apache at San Carlos. Robert was very funny and rather light-hearted. Robert seemed like an anomoly here on the Rez because most of these people live in such horrifying poverty and are faced with addiction and disease on a daily basis. The small crowd that came to Mass all had a common look to them. They all seemed tired and stressed. Anguish and pain filled the small church quickly. Father Gino presented my brother and I with Apache crosses. These crosses were not the traditional Catholic crucifix but rather painted oak wood crosses with bright colors to represent the Apache cardinal directions.


A Beautiful Painting on the School Wall

Today we also painted the last of the doors at the school. The school is looking a lot better than the last time I visited. I am sure that this is due to the efforts of Father Gino, the nuns living here, the staff of St. Charles School, and other volunteers just like my brother and I.


Painting the Doors

A Little Bit of History

House on the Rez

When most of us think about the history of North America, we think of the few hundred years since the Europeans settled here. However, the Apache see the history more fully. The Apache people envision thousands of years. The Apache people have a rich history and a very proud culture. They have recently(in the last hundred years) found it very difficult to live a life on the Reservation; the only way they could keep their culture,language, and way of life. Many Americans do not know that the Apache Nation was once many very different and autonomous Apache tribes. When the American government decided that the Native Americans needed to be dealt with, the Apache were forced on to Reservations such as the one I am on right now to live as one people.


Another Decrepit Property

Today, the Apache people here at San Carlos (located about a two hours drive East of Pheonix) fight such things as poverty, addiction(not only to alcohol: an alarming rate of Apache teens here have used or are using Meth), and unemployment rates as high as 70%(although accurate percentages are hard to determine due to seasonal jobs). It may be hard for us to see how the Apache people here can maintain a grasp on any of the rich culture that they have had for so many centuries, but somehow they do. The Apache people may not have a lot of money but when it comes to spiritual wealth, they have some of the most in the World. They are a caring people who can and will share anything and everything they have with one another. Franciscan priests such as Father Gino Piccolo(the current priest at St. Charles parish which is the Catholic Church on the Rez) have also helped the Apache retain some of their very rich and very proud culture. They are truly an amazing people.
From my previous trip here and the driving we did today, this place reminds me of a third world country more and more. Trash lines the road like a curb mostly made up of empty beer cans, boxes, and bottles. It is not uncommon to see a couple of mangy stray dogs crossing the street. One thing I really hope I can do during this trip is go out and do some work in the community. I want to experience the community and people first hand. The situation here is terrible and I hope that I can alleviate the physical and emotional suffering of these people. I want to make it better in anyway possible.

About to Begin

Loading up the car.

My name is Jeff Scott and I am the Student Body President at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. A few years ago I went to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation with my older brother and do some service work. We saw poverty and destitution that rivaled scenes from third world countries. Trash was everywhere, money was nowhere, addiction was running rampant and school children simply had nothing for their studies. There were shortages of supplies like pencils, notebooks, and binders. We decided that we could help change this situation. For the past five years we have collected new or gently used school supplies from the students of Judge Memorial Catholic High School at the end of the school year. I am extremely pleased to say that Judge Students donated more than 1000 lbs of school supplies this year. Along with sending these school supplies down there I have also decided to return to the Reservation for a week and help out in anyway I can. I will be staying in a trailer with my brother near St. Charles Parish on the Reservation. I can't wait to get going.