By Nate Campbell Posted to Facebook October 6, 2022

Fifty years ago today the Tonto Apache (Dilzhe’e) was recognized as a tribe by an Act of Congress. Many of the elders who fought for what we have today are no longer with us.

Some of them didn’t get a chance to move from the “Camp” to the new 85 acre land. I would like to pay homage to the following former tribal council members who are no longer with us: Chief Melton Campbell, Harry Curtis, Vinnie Ward, Polly Davis, Wally Davis, Sr., Wally Davis Jr., Ivan Smith, David Kenny Davis, and Farrell Hoosava. A special mention goes to J.O. Martin, who brought the Word of God to our little tribe, in which many of us received salvation. Even though those that didn’t get a chance to live on the new reservation they marched around the boundaries and prayed and gave thanks unto God. I remember the elders marching around the boundaries of the reservation praying that God would bless the land. My grandma Martha was out there marching with her traditional Apache camp dress. In this photo you will see four very special people! These are the ones that helped us get land, recognition, and new homes. Pictured left to right is: Nicholas Houser, Joe Sparks, George Esber, and Uncle Vincent Randall. Chief Melton Campbell led the posse to Washington D.C., all the way to the halls of Congress speaking on the behalf of Dilzhe’e. I would also like to mention Doris Sturgis, and Nan Pyle, just to name a few. It was only 85 acres but it was a giant step for us as a people. Our land use to range from the Verde Valley, down to the Tonto Basin area, westward to the boundaries of the White Mountain reservation and east to the Mazatzal Mountain range. I have mixed emotions right now. One being thankful, the other, bittersweet memories that flood my mind.

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