Plains Apache
 |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (2,263) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Oklahoma) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Plains Apache language | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, Native American Church, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Apache peoples, Navajo people, and other Athabascans. |
The Plains Apache are a small Southern Athabaskan group who traditionally live on the Southern Plains of North America, in close association with the linguistically unrelated Kiowa nation, and today are centered in Southwestern Oklahoma. The tribe is federally recognized as the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma.
The Plains Apache are also known as the Kiowa Apache, Naʼisha, or Naishan Dene, meaning "Our People." They also used the term Khat-tleen-deh or γát dìndé meaning "Cedar People" or Bay-ca-yeh meaning "Whetstone People". To their close allies, the much larger Kiowa tribe, who speak a completely unrelated language, they were known as Semat meaning "Stealers." At major tribal events, the Kiowa Apache formed part of the Kiowa tribal 'hoop' (ring of tipis). This may explain why the Kiowa named the Kiowa-Apache Taugui meaning "Sitting Outside."
Today the tribe is headquartered in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Their tribal jurisdictional area covers parts of Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, Kiowa, and Stephens Counties in Oklahoma. Their current tribal chairperson is Bobby Komardley.
Tribal members must have a minimum blood quantum of 1/8 Plains Apache descent to enroll in the tribe.
The Apache Tribe operates a casino, a smoke shop, and the Apache Ink Tattoo Parlor. They also issue their own tribal license plates. Louis Maynahonah is serving as Tribal Chairman, succeeding Alonzo Chalepah.
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Wikipedia