Our Story
Strength. Resilience. Legacy.
The Fort Sill Apache Tribe carries a heritage rooted in strength, survival, and the enduring identity of the Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache people. Our ancestors lived across the vast landscapes of what is now eastern Arizona, western New Mexico, and the U.S.–Mexico borderlands. For generations, they defended freedom, culture, and community.
our history
A Journey Marked by Hardship — and Hope
In the late 1800s, the Chiricahua Apache became the last Native American group detained as prisoners of war. After years of imprisonment in Florida and Alabama, the Tribe was moved to Oklahoma in 1894 by a special act of the U.S. Congress.
Upon arriving at Fort Sill, they were told the military post would become their permanent home. Yet political pressure and shifting federal priorities soon forced another pivotal moment. By 1913, many Chiricahua were relocated to the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico — while others held firm, demanding the lands originally promised to them.
Ultimately, a group of 81 tribal members were granted allotments around Apache and Fletcher, Oklahoma. These families shaped the foundation of today’s Fort Sill Apache community.
Rebuilding a Homeland
Throughout the 20th century, the Tribe fought for recognition and the restoration of rights and land.
Mid-1970s
Land claim settlement and adoption of the Tribal Constitution
2000s
Acquisition of land in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona
2011
Reservation Proclamation issued for the Tribe’s New Mexico land
2014
New Mexico Supreme Court recognizes the Fort Sill Apache Tribe as a state tribe
Today, the Tribe stands strong — honoring the past while building a sustainable future for its people through education, economic development, and community sovereignty.
Economic Growth Through Community-Owned Enterprises
The Fort Sill Apache convenience stores — Apache Market 1, Apache Market 2, and Chiricahua Apache Plaza — represent the tribe’s commitment to:
Creating jobs
Strengthening tribal sovereignty
Supporting families and community programs
Building long-term economic opportunity
Every purchase helps support tribal services, cultural preservation, and future generations.
Our Commitment
We honor our ancestors by investing in our people and serving our surrounding communities with integrity, respect, and hospitality. The Chiricahua Warm Springs remain dedicated stewards of our lands, our businesses, and our shared future.