An Apache Jicarilla Camp in 1905, photo by Edward S. Curtis.

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The Jicarilla Apaches were just one of six southern Athapascan groups which migrated out of Canada sometime around 1300 to 1500 A.D.  Moving their way south, they settled in the southwest where their traditional homeland covered more than 50 million acres across north New Mexico, southern Colorado and western Oklahoma.

The geography of the region shaped two bands of the Jicarillas – the Llaneros, or plains people, and the Olleros, or mountain-valley people. The name Jicarilla, pronounced hek-a-REH-ya, means “little basket maker” in Spanish

When Francisco Vásquez de Coronado's expedition journeyed through the northeastern plains of New Mexico in search of gold, the Jicarilla were living a nomadic lifestyle and were generally indifferent to the intruders. That was until the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 triggered the re-conquest of New Mexico.

Prior to that time, there were approximately 10,000 Jicarilla Apache, but by 1897, their population had plummeted to just a little more than 300 souls, lost to disease, war, and famine.

In 1887, a reservation in northern New Mexico was established for the Jicarilla, who prior to that time were considered squatters on their own lands, denied citizenship and the right to own land.

Today, the Jicarilla Nation, of more than 3,000 members is self-sufficient with a strong economy of sheep herding, oil and gas wells, and casinos. They continue to be acclaimed for the beauty and excellent craftsmanship of their traditional basket-making, beadwork, and clay pottery.

Also See:

Apache - The Fiercest Warriors in the Southwest

Apache Legends

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