Tribesmen Teach About Apache in Arizona

This March will be the third year that Providence College students journey to San Carlos, Ariz., during their spring break to take part in a cultural exchange on an Apache Natvie American Reservation. On Wednesday, Nov. 12, two members of the tribe, Dale and Doug Miles, spoke to a large group of students at the College.

Dale is the first tribal historian of the Apache tribe, and draws from his experience growing up in San Carlos and corresponding with Apache leaders to paint the full picture of traditional tribal life. He spoke about the importance of first-hand knowledge.

"Native people must tell their own history in this day and time," he said. "We cannot have other people continue to confuse what really happened, so we will tell it ourselves."

Dale received his formal education at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, and has done work for the Arizona Historical Society and the Smithsonian Institute. Aside from writing articles for True West Magazine, he is currently working on a book about the image of the Apache tribe in the movies and media.

"I am very hopeful that what I write will help people understand my people," said Dale.

According to Dale, there are many misconceptions about this Arizona tribe.

"For most of you, when you hear the word Apache you think ferocious and cruel people, but the Apaches had reasons for what they did and how they did them during their war against the American, and before that, the Mexican governments," said Dale.

He continued to explain his mission to disprove the stereotypes that have maimed the image of his tribe.

"It was the fact that they wanted to survive in their lifestyle that they became warriors. . it did not happen overnight; it happened over a stretch of time," said Dale.

In his portion of the presentation Dale also touched on specific aspects of Apache culture, such as the subdivisions within the tribe, their nomadic lifestyle, and their emphasis on family values. This historical account transitioned into his brother's talk, which focused on the tribe in the present day.

Doug is an artist and designer for the now-patented Apache Skateboard Company. He explained that the company was created after an experience he had with his son in a skateboarding store. Doug could not afford to buy his son a skateboard with a design, so he bought him a plain skateboard and later painted his own original design on it.

"My son came home after his first day out and exclaimed, 'Dad, everyone wants one!'" said Doug.

This single skateboard led to an entire enterprise, as well as the formation of an Apache skateboard team. The true significance of this new cultural exchange, however, is that it gives young tribal members a safe and healthy outlet for their energy. It has become, as it is referred to in America, the "anti-drug" of the Apaches.

"Even though I am an artist. . . design skateboards and do fun stuff, it's not just an exercise in narcissism," said Doug. "Because I am a Native American, I have to think in terms of my tribe and think about how my work can impact the community."

As these two brothers work in their own way to improve the knowledge and well-being of their tribe, they both have high hopes for when PC students enter their community this spring.

"You have a group of students who are going to stay with Apache people," said Dale. "They are making a step toward knowledge and discovery. They will be welcomed when they come."

Doug expressed similar sentiments.

"My goal in regard to the trip really is to bring [a] community in and share and hope that at one point it becomes reciprocal because once you begin to share culture and traditions, it strengthens relationships and you can move forward into the future," he said.