The White Mountain Apache Tribe

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The White Mountain Apache home is in eastern Arizona, where they have lived for thousands of years. They believe that they come from the Earth, and that they belong to the earth. Their beautiful home was given to them by our creator. The White Mountain Apache home is rich in tradition, resources, wildlife, and outdoor recreation.​

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The White Mountain Apache Tribe is also known for its world class hunting. Their home is one of the best places in the world for Trophy Elk hunting, drawing in hunters from all over the world to get a chance at a world class Trophy Bull Elk.

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White Mountain Apache Tribal Government

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The Tribal Government consists of: the Executive Office, Tribal Council, and Legal Department.

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​The Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected to a four-year term by the majority of the people.

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The Tribal Council are split up into four districts. Districts 1, 2, and 3, each have two council members. While district 4 has four (4) council members. Each council member serves a staggered term of four (4) years.

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The Legal department operates under the general supervision of the Tribal Attorney or General Council for the Tribe. Which falls under the daily supervision of the Tribal Chairman in accordance with the established tribal Council polices.

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White Mountain Apache Culture and the Great Seal

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The White Mountain Apache Tribe now consists of approximately 15,000 members. Many live here on Tribal lands, but others live and work all over the country and the world. The majority of the population lives in and around Whiteriver, the seat of Tribal government, with others residing in the communities of Cibecue, Carrizo, Cedar Creek, Forestdale, Hon-Dah, McNary, East Fork, and Seven Mile.

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The Whiteriver Unified School District and the Cibecue Community School offer public education. Other educational institutions include the Theodore Roosevelt School and John F. Kennedy School operated by the Indian Education Division of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the East Fork Lutheran Mission School . Higher Ed opportunities are available through the regional Northland Pioneer College, which has a center at Whiteriver. Many Apache young people attend Arizona ’s three state universities and other schools and colleges around the country.

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The reservation consists of 1.67 million acres (over 2,600 square miles) in east-central Arizona. It ranges in elevation from 2,600 feet in the Salt River Canyon on the southwest corner of the reservation to over 11,400 feet at the top of Mount Baldy, one of their sacred peaks. It includes some of the richest wildlife habitats in the state, and more than 400 miles of streams. It is home to the Apache trout, a species brought back from the brink of extinction through the efforts of the Tribe and many partners.