Dá nzho (Hello, Greetings),
Joe and Gloria Beltran say hello to Dr. Frye’s class. Joe and I have been reading the book “Geronimo” with much interest. Joe and I belong to the Apache Nation.
Joe’s mother was full blood Apache born near the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona. However, he is not certain if she was of the San Carlos or Chiricahua Apache band.
I am Chiricahua Apache on my mother side. My grandfather’s father, on my mother’s side, was from the Chihene (Red Paint) band of the Chiricahua located in the Southwest region of New Mexico. My grandfather’s mother was from the Bedonkohe band of the Chiricahua. She was from Geronimo’s band.
My grandmother’s mother, on my mother’s side, was also Chihene. My grandmother’s father was French Canadian. He was in the U.S. Cavalry and fought in the Indian Wars in New Mexico. We have always wondered how a U.S. Cavalry soldier that fought in the Indian Wars against the Apache ended up marrying an Apache.
On my father’s side, I am Apache but don’t know from what band. His mother and father passed away before I was born; therefore, I never got the opportunity to talk with them about their ancestry.
Joe and I look forward to discussing “Geronimo” with you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with us. We will do our best to answer your questions.