Apaches meet with Forest Service at Oak Flat

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Apaches at Oak Flat by Sandra Rambler, San Carlos Apache

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Oak Flat Photos by Sandra Rambler

On Oct. 11, 2014, San Carlos Apache Tribal Chairman, Terry Rambler was joined by tribal member and spiritual leader, Larry Brown and Rice Elementary School teacher, Irene DelaRosa at a coming-of-age ceremony for Tahleeni White at Chi'Chil'Bilda'Goteel (Oak Flat) on land deemed holy and sacred to the San Carlos Apaches and indigenous people.

On Feb. 7, Terry Rambler, Tribal Chairman for the San Carlos Apache Tribe signed a Proclamation to, "Protect Oak Flat Today and Everyday," at the signing ceremony held at Chi'Chil'Bilda'Goteel (Oak Flat) in Arizona where various tribes and organizations also signed the Proclamation.

On Oct. 12, 2014, San Carlos Apache tribal elders,  Gladys Hinton (Bylas) and Dorothy Ross (Gilson Wash) were joined by long time San Carlos Apache Water Rights Attorney, Joe Sparks during the coming-of-age dance for Tahleeni White held at Oak Flat in Arizona.

On Feb. 8, Wendsler Nosie, Sr., former Tribal Chairman for the San Carlos Apache Tribe and now the present Peridot District Councilman, thanked tribal elder, Audrey Johnson (Bylas) and youth, Cedar Bear Kitcheyan (Gilson Wash) for participating in the All Nations Spiritual Gathering and Holy Ground Ceremony held at Chi'Chil'Bilda'Goteel (Oak Flat) in Arizona, where tribal members are camped out and occupying their Holy Grounds.