Tonto Apache facts for kids
The Tonto Apache are a group of Western Apache people. They are also known by their own name, Dilzhę́’é. This name is used for their language dialect too. The Tonto Apache speak a Southern Athabaskan language.
Other tribes had different names for them. The Chiricahua people called them Ben-et-dine, meaning "people without minds" or "wild." Neighboring Western Apache groups called them Koun'nde, which means "wild rough People." From this, the Spanish word Tonto (meaning "foolish") was used for the group. The Navajo called both the Tonto Apache and their friends, the Yavapai, Dilzhʼíʼ dinéʼiʼ, meaning “People with high-pitched voices.”
A historian named Grenville Goodwin once divided the Tonto Apache into two main groups: the Northern Tonto and Southern Tonto. However, many Western Apache people today prefer to group themselves by their bands and clans.
Several Tonto Apache tribes are officially recognized by the government:
- Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona
- Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona
They also form parts of other recognized tribes:
- White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona
- San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona
Contents
Understanding the Name "Dilzhę́’é"
The name Dilzhę́’é is what the Tonto Apache call themselves. It might mean 'people with high-pitched voices', but its exact meaning is not fully clear.
The San Carlos Apache also use the name Dilzhę́’é for themselves. Western Apache people from Bylas use it for both the San Carlos and Tonto Apache groups. The White Mountain Apache use the term Dilzhę́’é for the Bylas, San Carlos, and Tonto Apache.
The name Tonto is sometimes seen as offensive. This is because of its meaning in Spanish, which is "foolish." However, people outside the Western Apache communities have used "Tonto Apache" for a long time. You might see the term Tonto more often in older books about Native American cultures.
History of the Tonto Apache
Living with the Yavapai People
The Tonto Apache often lived alongside two groups of the Yavapai people. These were the Wipukepa and Kewevkapaya. The Tonto Apache territory was large, stretching across central Arizona. It went from the San Francisco Peaks down to the Salt River.
The Dilzhę́’é Apache usually lived east of the Verde River. Most Yavapai bands lived west of it. However, their lands often overlapped. This meant they shared hunting and gathering areas. Because they lived so closely, they formed mixed groups. People in these groups often spoke both the Tonto Apache language and the Yavapai language.
Outsiders, like Americans or Spanish, often found it hard to tell them apart. They would call both the Yavapai and Apache people "Tonto" or "Tonto Apache." Sometimes, Europeans also mistakenly called the Wipukepa and Kwevkepaya groups "Yavapai Apache."
There were some differences between the Yavapai and Tonto Apache. Yavapai people were often described as taller and more muscular. Tonto Apache were seen as smaller and more finely featured. Yavapai people were sometimes tattooed, which was rare for Apaches. Their clothing and funeral practices also differed.
Relationships with Other Tribes
The Western Apache groups, including the Tonto Apache, usually lived peacefully with each other. They sometimes had small raids, especially against the southern Chiricahua bands. Living close to the Yavapai may have made the Tonto Apache language dialect unique.
The Tonto Apache often had conflicts with the Navajo. The Navajo raised sheep, which helped them get more European goods like blankets and tools. Sometimes, the Apache would trade stolen cattle and horses for Navajo blankets. This helped them keep peace with the Navajo.
The Tonto Apache were mostly hunter-gatherers. They hunted animals like deer and birds. They also gathered wild plants, berries, and seeds. Women grew crops like watermelons, pumpkins, and corn. If food supplies ran low, a respected woman would ask leaders to raid other tribes or European-Americans for supplies. The Western Apache raided far and wide, from western Arizona to parts of Mexico.
Life on Reservations
Yavapai-Apache Nation Reservation
After being moved to the Camp Verde Reservation in 1871, the Yavapai and Tonto Apache built irrigation systems. They grew enough food to support themselves. However, some contractors who supplied the reservations were unhappy. They asked the government to close the reservation.
In March 1875, the government closed the reservation. The people were forced to walk about 180 miles (290 km) in winter to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. More than 100 Yavapai people died during this difficult journey.
In the early 1900s, some Yavapai returned to the Camp Verde area. In 1910, the U.S. government set aside 40 acres (0.16 km²) for them. More land was added later. These areas became the Camp Verde Indian Reservation. In 1937, these lands were combined. The people formed the Yavapai-Apache Nation, which is federally recognized today.
Today, their reservation covers 665 acres (2.7 km²). Tourism is important to their economy. The reservation has many historical sites, like the Montezuma Castle National Monument. The Yavapai-Apache Nation brings together the Yavapai and Tonto Apache people.
Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation
The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is near Phoenix, Arizona. This 40 square mile (103.6 km²) reservation was created in 1903. In 1910, the government tried to move the residents. They wanted to use the land and water for other things. But a group of Yavapai spoke to Congress and won. They were allowed to stay.
Today, about 900 tribal members belong to the community. About 600 of them live on the reservation. The people on the Fort McDowell Reservation are mostly Guwevka'ba:ya Yavapai. They call themselves Aba:ja, meaning "The People."
Tonto Apache Reservation
The Tonto Apache Reservation is south of Payson, Arizona. The Apache name for Payson is Te-go-suk, meaning “Place of the Yellow Water.” This area was once home to an important Dilzhe'e Apache clan. The reservation was created in 1972 within the Tonto National Forest.
It is the smallest reservation in Arizona, with only 85 acres (0.34 km²). About 100 of the 140 tribal members live there. The reservation is next to Payson, about 95 miles (153 km) northeast of Phoenix.
The Tonto Apache are direct descendants of the Dilzhe'e Apache. They lived in the Payson area long before Europeans arrived. They were moved to the Rio Verde Reserve in 1871. This reserve was for the Tonto and Wipukepa (Northeastern Yavapai). In 1875, the reserve was closed. The people were forced to move to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.
Some Tonto Apache slowly returned to Payson after 20 years. They found that white settlers had taken much of their land. Today, there are efforts to give them full ownership of the land they live on. Many Tonto Apache also returned to the Camp Verde Reservation. They joined their Yavapai relatives to form the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Western Apache Indian Reservations
Because of forced moves in 1875, some Tonto Apache now live on reservations with other Western Apache groups. These include the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
How the Tonto Apache Organized Themselves
Like other Western Apache groups, the Tonto Apache did not have one central leader. The smallest social group was the family. They lived in a wickiup (kowa or gowa). Each wife and her children lived in their own wickiup. Several related families lived together in an extended family called a gotah. These gotah formed a rancheria.
Several gotah formed local groups. These groups claimed areas for hunting and gathering. The largest group was the band. Bands were mainly for military purposes and defense. The Tonto Apache were divided into these bands:
Northern Tonto These groups lived in the upper Verde River area. They also ranged north towards the San Francisco Peaks. They shared hunting and gathering grounds with the Wi:pukba/Wipukepaya Yavapai. Because of this, they formed mixed bands with leaders who had names in both Apache and Yavapai.
- Bald Mountain band: In Apache, Dasziné Dasdaayé Indee (‘Porcupine Sitting Above People’). In Yavapai, Wiipukepaya local group. They lived around Bald Mountain, southwest of Camp Verde. They survived by hunting and gathering plants.
- Oak Creek band: In Apache, Tsé Hichii Indee (‘Horizontal Red Rock People’). In Yavapai, Wiipukepaya local group. They lived near Sedona, along Oak Creek and other streams. Their land went north to Flagstaff.
- Fossil Creek band: In Apache, Tú Dotłʼizh Indee (‘Blue Water People’). In Yavapai, Matkitwawipa band. They lived along Fossil Creek and had small farms. They hunted and gathered west of the Verde River.
- Mormon Lake band: In Apache, Dotłʼizhi HaʼitʼIndee (‘Turquoise Road Coming Up People’). They lived east of Mormon Lake and ranged up to the San Francisco Mountains. They were exposed to the Navajo and relied only on hunting and gathering. This was the only band made entirely of Tonto Apache.
Southern Tonto These groups lived in the Tonto Basin, from the Salt River north to the East Verde River. This included the Sierra Ancha and Mazatzal Mountains. Like the Northern Tonto, they formed mixed bands with the Guwevkabaya/Kwevkepaya Yavapai. They also had leaders with names in both languages.
- Mazatzal band: In Apache, Tsé Nołtłʼizhn (‘Rocks in a Line of Greenness People’). In Yavapai, Hakayopa clan or Hichapulvapa clan. They lived mainly on the eastern slopes of the Mazatzal Mountains.
- Tsé Nołtłʼizhn (Apache name) or Hakayopa clan (Yavapai name). They claimed the area around Sunflower Valley and the Mazatzal Mountains.
- Tsé Nołtłʼizhn (Apache name) or Hichapulvapa clan (Yavapai name). They claimed the Mazatzal Mountains from the East Verde River southward.
- Dil Zhęʼé semi-band: In Apache, Dilzhę́’é (‘People with high-pitched voices’). In Yavapai, Matkawatapa clan. This was the most important semi-band. Some Dil Zhęʼé from Sierra Ancha formed a mixed group with the Walkamepa band.
- There were five other semi-bands under the Dil Zhęʼé.
Important Tonto Apache Leaders
Many brave leaders guided the Tonto Apache and their mixed bands. Here are some of them:
Bilingual Yavapai-Tonto-Apache Leaders
- Delshay (Delshe, Delchea - ‘Big Rump’): A Kwevkepaya-Tonto-Apache leader. His mixed band lived in the Sierra Ancha. He was involved in a conflict in 1873 and was later killed by Apache scouts.
- Wah-poo-eta (Wapotehe - ‘Big Rump’): A Kwevkepaya-Tonto-Apache leader. His band was large and fierce, living in the southern Mazatzal Mountains. He was killed in 1869.
- Eschetlepan (Chalipun, Charlie Pan): A Kwevkepaya-Tonto-Apache leader from the Mazatzal band. His band lived southwest of Green Valley and raided areas like Prescott.
- Ashcavotil (Ascavotil): A Kwevkepaya-Pinaleno-Apache leader. His band was very warlike and raided far south into Arizona.
- Oshkolte (Hascalté): A Tonto-Apache-Kwevkepaya leader. His band ranged on both sides of the Tonto Creek. He was a close friend of Ashcavotil and Wah-poo-eta. He was killed in 1873.
- Nanni-chaddi: A Tonto-Apache-Kwevkepaya leader. He was known for many raids on other tribes and white settlements. He was killed in 1872 in the Battle of Salt River Canyon.
- Skiitlanoyah (Skitianoyah): A Kwevkepaya-Tonto-Apache leader. His mixed band lived between the East Verde River and the Tonto Creek.
- Piyahgonte (Pi-yah-gon-te): A Yavapai-Tonto-Apache leader in the 1860s and 1870s. His band lived along the upper East Verde River. He was thought to be responsible for many raids around Prescott.
- Natatotel (Natokel): A Kwevkepaya-Tonto-Apache leader. He was killed in June 1873.
Tonto-Apache Leaders
- Chuntz: A Tonto Apache leader. He fled after a conflict in 1873 and was killed in 1874 by Apache scouts.
- Chan-deisi (‘Broken Nose’): A Tonto Apache leader. He was a scout who fled in 1873 and was killed in 1874 by Indian scouts.
- Cochinay (‘Yellow Thunder’): A Tonto Apache leader. He fled in 1873 and was caught and killed by Indian scouts in 1874.
- Naqui-Naquis: A Tonto Apache leader. He was killed in June 1873.
- Ba-coon (Bacon – “Big Mouth”): A Tonto Apache leader and later an Apache Scout. He died in 1874.
