Mescalero, NM

Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc. (MATI) is one of nine telecommunication network owned and operated by a federally recognized tribe in the country. MATI was established in 1995, incorporated in 1999 and has been in service since 2001. They are a full service, state-of-the-art Telecommunication Company.

As the Jicarilla Apache Nation, takes strides to obtain better knowledge and expertise in telecommunications, MATI is more than happy to lend a helping hand. Establishing good working relationships and sharing knowledge between both tribes, Mescalero Apache and Jicarilla, about telecommunication intelligence is important. Mescalero will help Dulce communicate with the world pending an agreement between both tribes. 

Jicarilla Tribal Council Members, William Julian Jr., Ronald Julian and Romaine Wood, along with Miss Jicarilla Kaylee Wood recently visited and toured MATI’s high tech facilities and equipment.

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Food Bank

For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome…

Mathew 25:35

For many years the food bank at St. Joseph’s Apache Mission Church has faithfully served the Mescalero Apache community, providing assistance to anyone on the reservation in need regardless of religion affiliation. Sister Robert Ann Hecker remembers back to 1995 when the Mescalero Ministerial Alliance established the food bank and she agreed to direct it. “It was located at St. Joseph’s because space was available there,” she said. “Flour, rice, beans, pasta, canned goods and occasionally a small amount of beef have been the main items needed to distributed. We do not receive any government grants but keep going on donations, including those from the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino, the postal workers and a collection from the community at Lenten services. Donations also arrive occasionally from area businesses and members of the community who are encouraged to also support the food bank.

Brian, Jennifer, and Lauren Wright have been major donors to the food bank. Brian’s maternal family is from New Mexico and he claims Apache heritage. They are active in the Mid-America All Indian Center in Wichita, Kansas. In 2012 they visited Mescalero and brought an SUV full of food and other household supplies to the food bank. They also coordinated efforts with UPS to have half a ton of flour shipped for no cost from the Hudson Flour Mill in Kansas. Since that first visit they have made several trips with their SUV full of supplies and have hosted fundraisers in Wichita to raise funds to assist the food bank and youth activities. This year they raised $7,200.00 for St. Joseph’s Apache Mission.

Thanksgiving is a special time for the Mescalero community and the Wrights. Last year their goal was to have at least 30 meals available for families. They outdid it and donated 38-42 turkeys. They plan to continue the goal this year and will bring the turkeys in their SUV, weather permitting. “We deeply appreciate everyone’s efforts to help us,” said Sister Robert Ann.

The food bank at Mescalero is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm. The telephone number to call for more information is 575-464-4473.

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BIA/OJS Mescalero Agency wants to remind Mescalero residents, employees, and visitors that if Emergency Services are needed, please call 911 or if it is a non-emergency call 575-464-4479. Post this number on your refrigerator or save it in your cell phone.

If you need an ambulance, fire truck, law enforcement or conservation services call right away. ANY of these Mescalero employees (Police, Fire/Rescue, and Conservation) are dispatched from on-duty Communications Officers that have protocol and procedures to follow in getting other on-duty employees to respond. 

If you do not call right away, the response time will only be delayed and as we all know, in emergency circumstances, seconds count. Lastly, I’d like to request that if/when residents see something suspicious, please call it in. If you see something, say something (report it). 

Stay safe,

Chief of Police James Vepley

BIA OJS Mescalero Agency

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Mescalero, NM

One of the well known billboards that greet visitors along the highway was recently covered with a new vinyl sign. Our high school students in Ms. Lane’s art class collaborated to redesign the classic billboard at the bottom of route 6.

The widely known billboard went through some major wear and tear resulting in the paint fading and tearing. One could say that the sign has been up for longer than 45 years; since the 70’s!

From that time, the billboard was repainted and covered with other vinyl signs. Ms. Lane and the students expect their sign to be up a lot longer.

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When asked about having his art work on the recreated billboard, Nana Chee said, “It feels good.” He feels the sign will be up longer since the material is more durable to weather conditions.

When creating the billboard, the art students didn’t want to veer far from the original painting. The mountain, moon, crown dancer, and text are still apart of billboard but in a different format.

Mrs. Lane explained, “The students had to be introduced to the digital Photoshop realm dealing with computers, some students have never practiced digital formats such as the Adobe application.”

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Labatt Food Service Seeks Mescalero Cattle Growers

On the cool crisp evening of March 1, 2016, members of the Mescalero Apache Tribal Council, administration executive staff, IMG executive Staff and Labatt Food Service executive staff congregated in Wendell’s Steak and Seafood restaurant to welcome in, on the menu, a new product produced on the Mescalero reservation.

On this evening,  guest were given the opportunity to taste and help launch Mescalero Apache steaks on the menu at IMG’s Wendell’s Steak and Seafood restaurant, and not just any steak but USDA Certified Choice and Prime cut steaks, the best of the best.

Tuesday night’s event marked the culmination of four years of meetings, presentations, and a lot of hard work on the part of many people. Without the patience of Labatt Food Service and the commitment of all those who work for the Mescalero Cattles Growers, Mescalero Beef wouldn’t be a reality within the tribal enterprises.

The journey began in 2012 when the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department (IAD) and Labatt Food Service (Labatt) partnered together to create and launch the “Native American Beef Program”.  IAD and Labatt set out to find tribal partners who wanted to participate in the program and began meeting with various tribal leaders and tribal councils. The first participants in the program was a conglomerate of Navajo Ranchers on the Padres Mesa in western New Mexico and Eastern Arizona and the first wave of beef to hit the markets under  the Native American Beef program was Navajo beef.

IAD and Labatt continued their out reached and even came to Mescalero at the time to pitch the idea as a catalyst to jump start Mescalero’s beef industry but found little interest at the time amongst the council members. Together, IAD and Labatt pushed forward seeking tribal partners and eventually partnered with the Jicarilla Apache Tribe’s rancher association. It wasn’t long before Jicarilla raised beef and was being featured in the tribe’s casino restaurants for all to enjoy while partaken in its unique taste.

In January of 2015, changes in IAD’s administration occurred which refocused the priorities of department; while still supportive of the Native American Beef Program; IAD began addressing other issues within tribal communities which left Labatt to continue its outreach alone.

Labatt again approached the Mescalero Apache Tribe and were finally given an opportunity to bid during the tribe’s next cattle sale. Labatt offered its bid and came out on top which then kick started the initiative to bring Mescalero Beef into the tribe’s enterprises. Labatt has since been working closely with the tribe’s cattle manager and the all the cowboys at number one. According to representatives from Labatt, when they bought cattle from the tribe, it was the first time that all beef produced rated USDA certified Choice or Prime.

Many of the cowboys at Cow Camp #1 have expressed their pride in producing a quality product that is being featured here in Mescalero at IMG. At Tuesday night’s event, Duane Duffy, Chief of Staff for the tribe stated, “This is something that we should all be proud of here in Mescalero. This is the first time our Apache beef is being featured at our enterprises and is of the highest quality, all natural and grass fed. This endeavor will lead to economic diversification, job creation and will represent a new revenue stream coming into the tribal coffers.” Many of the nights guest agreed and showed their deep appreciation for the job that is being done at Cow Camp #1. Councilman Ben Martinez also spoke and stated, “In the beginning many of us were unsure about the program and the process which it would follow, but after seeing it in practice and the quality of the beef, the end product speaks for itself. “

Councilman Christie Lapaz, Jr. also said a few words and started out by jokingly saying, “I came here tonight and I’m a vegetarian.” He continued by saying, “This is a good thing for the tribe, this is something I never thought would happen and I am proud of the guys at Cow Camp.” His sentiments were echoed by many of the night’s guest and all those present enjoyed the exceptional meal that was prepared by Wendell’s staff.

A short video was produced about the program at Mescalero and featured a number of tribal members, the video can be found on YouTube if you wish to view it. Mescalero Beef is a quality product produced on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, it is all natural and grass fed. “We are excited about the opportunities this endeavor will bring to the tribe and are extremely proud of the high quality of our beef.” stated Gabe Aguilar, Vice President of the tribe.

If you happen to find yourself at the Inn later this month, be sure to ask about Mescalero Beef and taste for yourself the quality of this fine Apache product. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. To all those that played a role in making Mescalero Beef a reality, thank you for your commitment and hard work. Hope to see you at the Inn and as Councilman Martinez said, “the end product speaks for itself.”

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