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.