Doña Ana County Commission Supports Fort Sill Apache Return to New Mexico

 
April 9, 2013 - PRLog -- Today, the Doña Ana County Board of  Commissioners formally approved a resolution supporting the Fort Sill Apache’s return to its New Mexico Homelands and its economic development and job creation efforts through the planned casino in Akela, NM.

“I am pleased that the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners recognizes our rights as a sovereign nation and supports our return to New Mexico,” said Fort Sill Apache Tribal Chairman Jeff Haozous. “As we continue to fight to regain the rights that are naturally and historically ours, the passing of this resolution affirms support from our neighboring community. At the appropriate time, we look forward to receiving support from the Governor as well,” said Haozous.

Today, a 30-acre parcel of land at Akela, New Mexico, 40-miles west of Las Cruces is the extent of the Fort Sill Apache’s reservation within its 14.8 million acre federally-recognized homeland. Doña Ana County supports the economic benefits the Apache Homelands Casino would bring to the region.  The Las Cruces City Council also passed a resolution supporting the Fort Sill Apache Tribe at the start of the year.    

“We welcome the Fort Sill Apache Tribe home to southwestern New Mexico said Doña Ana Commissioner Wayne Hancock. “We look forward to the jobs and economic impact the Tribe will bring to our community.”

When available a copy of the official resolution will be posted on the Fort Sill Apache New Mexico website (www.fortsillapachenewmexico.com).

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe is the successor to the Chiricahua - Warm Springs Apache Tribe. In 1886, they were taken as prisoners of war by the U.S. Army and removed from their homelands of southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona to Florida, Alabama and Oklahoma, where they were released. They organized as the Fort Sill Apache Tribe after a Federal Court affirmed their claim for the loss of over 14.8 million acres of their homeland. The Tribe has always maintained both its independence as Chiricahua – Warm Springs Apaches and its desire to return to its rightful home. After receiving an invitation from the Governor of New Mexico in 1995 and again in 2000 to return to New Mexico, the Tribe purchased the property at Akela Flats in 1998 and was granted a Reservation in November 2011.

For more information and updates on the Tribe, please follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FortSillApache) (@FortSillApache) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FortSillApacheTribe?ref=ts&f...) (Fort Sill Apache Tribe New Mexico).
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