More official Mescalero Apache Tribe COVID-19 updates here.
Recent news from NM Department of Workforce Solutions
13 weeks of extended Unemployment benefits now available!
All CARES Act benefits are 100% federally funded. Read more here.
Mescalero Apache Tribe donates to Navajo Nation Department of Health
On April 27th, the Mescalero Apache Tribe President, Gabe Aguilar, wanted to help the Navajo Nation President Nez, Vice President Lizer and their people.
President Aguilar recently donated 2,000 masks on behalf of the Mescalero Apache Tribe to the Navajo Department of Health in Window Rock, AZ.
At the beginning of this month, the Tribe received thousands of masks with the help of Inn of the Mountain Gods and were fortunate enough to distribute those masks to Mescalero tribal members who were in need.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please, continue to stay home and practice social distancing.
For official Mescalero Apache Tribe COVID-19 updates, click here.
Interagency Partners Emphasize Fire Prevention and Preparedness
(April 27, 2020)– The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Forestry Division, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service emphasize the importance of fire prevention and preparedness.
Know before you go. When planning your outdoor adventure always check for local closures and restrictions, which can change regularly. Variations in policies and mandates between tribal, federal, state, and local governments can cause some differences in the way restrictions are implemented. Visit nmfireinfo.com for current fire restrictions, as well as prevention and preparedness tips, and fire information.
Do your part. Don’t let a wildfire start. The public plays a valuable role in preventing wildfires. On average in N.M., human-caused wildfires make up nearly half of all wildfire occurrences annually. Many of our wildfires initiate from vehicle and equipment use as well as campfires, or debris burning on private property. Use and maintain spark arresters on equipment. Check with your local fire department or County Fire Marshal’s Office before burning and keep up to date with current conditions and weather forecasts. Only have campfires where they are allowed and put them out completely and only leave when it is cold to the touch. When target shooting, choose areas clear of dry grass and shrubs. Secure tow chains and check the condition of tires and brakes. Never pull your vehicle off the road into dry vegetation.
Prepare your home for wildfire. As we find ourselves spending more time close to home, take the time to evaluate the risk around your home and prepare for future wildfires. Taking individual responsibility to reduce flammable materials around homes and communities before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public, and firefighters safe. Rake up dead leaves or needles, pull weeds and mow lawns, trim up your trees, and move anything that will burn away from your home. Creating a buffer between your home and trees, shrubs, undeveloped spaces or other wildland areas, is essential to improving your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. Not only can this space help slow or stop the spread of wildfire, it also provides a safe place for firefighters to defend your home if conditions allow.
It is up to all of us to make a difference. Contact your local fire department or land-management agency for more information or resources.
Posting some friendly reminders as we go into our summer months and start watering our lawns.
The following are some general questions you might have.
Q: How often should a lawn be watered in summer?
A: 20 minutes, 3 times per week will get an inch of water on your lawn. 30 minutes 3 times per week will get 1 ½” water on the lawn.
Q: Is it OK to water lawn in the heat of the day?
A: Rapid evaporation makes watering in the middle of the day wasteful. The best time to water grass is in the early morning. Wind and heat are usually minimal at this time, and the majority of the water will reach the lawn.
Q: Why is watering grass at night bad?
A: If you water lawn at night in summer, the lack of evaporation provides time for the pathogens to infiltrate your grass. Morning watering allows time for evaporation and soil absorption, keeping foliage dry overnight. Overwatering any time of day, however, causes major lawn problems.
Q: Should I water my grass every day in the summer?
A: For best results, water your lawn thoroughly three times a week if we do not get significant rainfall. In hot, dry weather, water shrubs and flowers daily. Morning, around 6 to 8 a.m., is the best time to water.
Mescalero Utilities Department is asking tribal members to use water wisely when watering their lawns. If not, we can drain our storage water tanks rapidly which will take a couple of days to refill. This would also cause low water pressure and water shortages for the communities.
If you see a water break, please report water breaks to Mescalero Utilities Department at 575-464-4311.
Mescalero Tribal Store
10% DISCOUNT offered on ALL GROCERY AND DELI SALES at the Mescalero Tribal Store during the furlough period.
VAWA Program receives FBI award
The Albuquerque FBI Division has presented the 2018 Director’s Community Leadership Award to the Mescalero Apache Tribe Violence Against Women Awareness Program (VAWA).
Started in 2015 as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, the program provides services to victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes as well as implements educational programs about domestic violence and human trafficking.
Each of the FBI’s 56 field offices annually selects an individual or organization to receive the award, which recognizes efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.
VAWA Director Lola Ahidley has been invited to a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where FBI Director Christopher Wray will present her and other recipients with crystal awards.
“The Mescalero Apache Tribe Violence Against Women Awareness Program has greatly increased awareness of domestic violence and other crimes,” Albuquerque FBI Special Agent in Charge James Langenberg said. “The FBI is proud to recognize the hard work of those who are improving communication among victims, families, law enforcement, and the courts to help break the generational cycle of violence.”
Ahidley, who is Mescalero Apache, works with two assistants to offer free counseling to domestic violence victims and conduct no-cost community prevention and education on bullying, elder fraud, sex trafficking, and domestic violence.
VAWA meets regularly with U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) victim services specialists to staff cases and to provide for immediate needs not funded under BIA or FBI programs, such as lodging, clothing, hygiene items, and cellphones for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes.
VAWA attends arraignments for domestic violence victims in Mescalero Apache tribal court, and successfully requested to have an ordinance passed by the tribal government to allow advocates in court at the request of a victim.
The program recently sponsored a two-day “women’s self-defense training” seminar that was so popular that Ahidley has been asked to repeat it.
VAWA is conducting a program to raise awareness of human trafficking, especially around the tribe’s casinos and truck stops. They offer training for employees of those businesses and have put messages on billboards throughout the reservation.
More information about VAWA can be found at: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/mescalero-vaw/
Earth Day 2019
Staff at the Mescalero Tribal Administration offices touched the earth at 9 AM MT to honor Mother Earth.
Staff outside Mescalero Admin. offices 
Tribal Council Secretary Sher Skin and Vice President Gabe Aguilar touching the earth at 9 AM 
More staff honoring Mother Earth 
Tribal Council Secretary Sher Skin reading the resolution that was passed by MAT Council 
New Book Announcement
Eric Bell, Mescalero Apache published author, grew up on the reservation hearing stories of tribal legends. His first fictional publication, Tribal Anthology, is about his own versions of tribal stories told to him as a young boy. Follow the book as it takes you through the lives of teenage friends who encounter tribal myths from tales said through generations before them to present day.
The book is available by order at:
Amazon (paperback)
If you wish to purchase Tribal Anthology from Eric, please contact him at 575-464-0080. Each copy is $12.
Reminder to reservation residents
9-1-1 Tips & Guidelines courtesy BIA/OJS-Mescalero Agency, Chief of Police James Veplay
Top 10 Tips for Calling 9-1-1
DEVELOPED FOR INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY.COM
Created by a special 911 Lifeline, APCO, NENA team
IS A PERSON HURT OR IN DANGER? – DO YOU NEED THE POLICE, FIRE OR AMBULANCE?
Have you ever wondered whether to call 9-1-1? Since 9-1-1 is for emergencies only, it helps to understand when to call and when not to call. An emergency is any serious situation where a law enforcement officer,fire fighter, or emergency medical help is needed right away. If you are unsure of whether your situation is an emergency, go ahead and call 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 call taker can determine if you need emergency assistance and can route you to the correct location.
IF YOU DO CALL 9-1-1, EVEN BY MISTAKE, DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE.
9-1-1 call takers are trained to get the most important information as quickly as possible to get help on the way to an emergency situation. In an emergency situation, allow the call taker to ask you all the questions they need in order to get help there in the timeliest manner before you hang up or leave the phone. If you happen to call by accident, stay on the line until you can tell the call taker that you called by accident and there is no emergency. This saves the call taker from having to call you back and confirm there is no emergency or possibly sending police with lights and sirens to check your address for an emergency.
WHEN CALLING 9-1-1 DO YOUR BEST TO STAY CALM AND ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.
Staying calm can be one of the most difficult, yet most important, things you do when calling 9-1-1. It is very important that you stay as calm as possible and answer all the questions the 9-1-1 call taker asks. The questions 9-1-1 call takers ask, no matter how relevant they seem, are important in helping get the first responders to you as fast as possible.
HELP THE 9-1-1 CALL TAKER HELP YOU.
Listen and answer the questions asked. By doing this, it helps the call taker understand your situation and will assist you with your emergency until the appropriate police, fire or medical units arrive.
KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE EMERGENCY.
The wireless 9-1-1 caller must be aware that the 9-1-1 center that answers the call may not be the 9-1-1 center that services the area that the wireless caller is calling from. Look for landmarks, cross street signs and buildings. Know the name of the city or county you are in. Knowing the location is vital to getting the appropriate police, fire or EMS units to respond. Providing an accurate address is critically important when making a wireless 9-1-1 call.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO CALL 9-1-1.
Be sure they know what 9-1-1 is, how to dial from your home and cell phone, and to trust the 9-1-1 call taker. Make sure your child is physically able to reach at least one phone in your home. When calling 9-1-1 your child needs to know their name, parent’s name, telephone number, and most importantly their address. Tell them to answer all the call takers questions and to stay on the phone until instructed to hang up.
PRANK CALLS TO 9-1-1 WASTE TIME AND ARE ILLEGAL IN MOST STATES.
Be sure all members of your household are aware that prank or harassing calls to 9-1-1 will be dealt with by local law enforcement agencies.
POST YOUR ADDRESS CLEARLY AND PROMINENTLY AT YOUR ENTRANCE AND ON YOUR HOME.
Posting your 9-1-1 address at the driveway entrance and on your home will alleviate any confusion as to whether emergency responders have the correct location. Try using something reflective or illuminated so that it can be seen in the evening as well as during the day.
DO NOT ASSUME SINCE YOUR MAILBOX IS MARKED YOU HAVE POSTED YOUR ADDRESS – mailboxes are not always at the entrance of a driveway and usually are not marked clearly on both sides. Several cities and counties have ordinances for posting 9-1-1 addresses – check with your local ones. And always report missing street signs when noted – these not only help others find your home but are essential to emergency response personnel.
KNOW THE PHONES YOU OWN.
Educate everyone about the phone system in your home as well as your cell phone. Children may need to use the devices in an emergency and will need to know how to operate them.