Two kinds of business
When people discuss Apache contributions to business, they usually mean one of two things. The first is enterprise owned by a nation’s government, commonly called tribal enterprises. The second is businesses owned by individual Apache people or families, such as shops, construction firms, guiding services and artisans selling their work. Both are real parts of the picture. This article is mostly about the first kind, because tribally owned enterprises are a distinctive feature of how many Native nations operate. It deliberately gives no revenue or employment figures, since those change and are best found on the nations’ own websites.
What a tribal enterprise is
A tribal enterprise is a business owned by a tribal government rather than by private shareholders. Nations generally use the income to pay for services and to create jobs for their members and neighbours. Depending on the nation, that may support education, health programs, housing, cultural projects and public works. Because each Apache nation has its own constitution, council and priorities, enterprises differ widely from one nation to the next. It would be inaccurate to describe a single “Apache economy.”
The reason tribal governments run businesses at all is partly historical. Reservation lands are held in a special legal status, and individuals often cannot easily borrow against them or use them as private property in the way other landowners can. A government-owned enterprise is one way a community can pool resources and plan over the long term. Legal arrangements vary, and this article does not offer legal or financial advice.
Forestry and natural resources
Several Apache nations have large areas of forest, grassland or mountain country, and managing those lands has long been part of their economic life. Forestry, grazing and ranching have been important to some communities, and timber operations managed by nations have provided jobs. The White Mountain Apache and Mescalero Apache homelands, for example, include extensive forests, and these are widely described as significant economic and cultural resources. Management also overlaps with questions of Apache forestry and fire management, where traditional knowledge and modern forestry science are both relevant.
Hunting, fishing and wildlife programs are another source of activity on some lands. Many nations regulate access to their lands, so visitors should check the rules with the nation before planning a trip.
Tourism, recreation and resorts
Tourism has been a significant field for some Apache nations. Mountain country offers opportunities for lodges, ski areas, campgrounds, fishing and scenic recreation. The Mescalero Apache, for instance, are widely known for operating a resort and a ski area in the Sacramento Mountains, and several other nations operate recreation areas, lodges, museums or cultural centers. Some nations also operate casinos, which are permitted under federal law and which many communities use to fund government services. Gaming is a complex subject, and its role differs between nations; some have not pursued it at all.
Cultural tourism raises its own questions. Nations decide what they are willing to share, and some places and ceremonies are not open to visitors. Public events, museums and shops operated by the nations are the appropriate places for outsiders to engage with Apache culture.
Individual entrepreneurs and artisans
Alongside nation-owned businesses, Apache individuals have long earned income from skilled work. Basketry, beadwork, jewelry and other crafts have been sold for generations, and Native American art markets have been a source of income for many families, while also creating issues about authenticity and fair pricing. Today individuals also run businesses in construction, retail, food service, tourism and professional services. Support organizations and tribal programs sometimes help new entrepreneurs, but programs change, so this article names none.
Challenges and context
Doing business in remote reservation communities can be difficult. Distance from markets, limited infrastructure, and complexity in land and legal arrangements are commonly mentioned obstacles. Discussions of Apache economic empowerment barriers often include these points, along with historical factors such as the loss of land and the long period of federal control over tribal affairs. Federal policy shifted in the 1970s, notably with the Indian Self-Determination Act, which allowed tribal governments to take over the administration of certain federal programs. Over time, this strengthened the capacity of nations to run their own institutions, including businesses.
Success also looks different from one community to another. A business that supports cultural programs or protects a mountain landscape may serve a community’s goals even if it is small. Many nations describe economic activity in terms of long-term self-sufficiency and the welfare of future generations rather than simply profit.
A broader view
Apache tribal business ventures are part of a longer story of economic adaptation that includes earlier trade, farming and ranching. They contribute to the wider American economy by creating jobs, buying goods and services locally, and managing natural resources, though the scale varies a great deal. For current details about any nation’s enterprises, please consult its official website. This site is an independent educational resource and does not represent any tribe or business.