13 weeks of extended Unemployment benefits now available!

All CARES Act benefits are 100% federally funded. Read more here.

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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.

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(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.

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Be sure to head on over to the official Mescalero Apache Tribe COVID-19 informational page! See all the latest Mescalero IHS, Tribal, State and more news.

Click here for more details.

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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.

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State Auditor Brian S. Colón and NM Public Procurement Association Urge New Mexicans to be Counted and Complete the 2020 Census Today

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Auditor Colón, through the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) and the New Mexico Public Procurement Association (NMPPA), urge New Mexicans to complete their 2020 Census forms today. The COVID-19 outbreak is reinforcing the critical importance of completing the 2020 Census. How federal tax dollars are allocated, to fund health clinics and hospitals, public safety organizations such as fire and police departments, and schools, is based on the Census count.

“You deserve to be counted and your responses will impact New Mexico’s resources for the next ten years,” said Auditor Colón. “New Mexicans deserve fair representation and a quality of life that will allow them to thrive in New Mexico. The Census will determine how many federal dollars New Mexico receives over the next ten years for our hospitals, our schools, and so many vital human services New Mexicans rely on.”  

“The New Mexico Public Procurement Association (NMPPA) is encouraging its statewide membership to complete the 2020 Census.” Said NMPPA President, Rennette Apodaca. “The Association understands the vital importance an accurate count means for New Mexico to receive the federal funding it requires for procuring goods and services for operational excellence in New Mexico.”

The Association has served New Mexico public entities for 22 years and has over 360 members state wide.  NMPPA members are instrumental in procuring goods and services utilizing taxpayers funds. The Association has sent out reminder emails to its membership and encouraged completion of the 2020 Census via social media. 

Unfortunately, responses to the 2020 Census from New Mexicans is lower than the current national average of 52.4%. As of today, only 41.5% of New Mexicans have responded, according to the US Census Bureau. In a state as unique as New Mexico, where many of our residents reside in rural communities, completing the Census may prove difficult. However, New Mexicans, for the first time, may now respond to the Census online, by phone, or by mail.

Under normal conditions the US Census would engage outreach efforts to better assist Census takers in rural communities. However, as a consequence to the COVID-19 health crisis much of the door-to-door outreach is limited due to social distancing efforts to combat the Coronavirus from spreading. That is why New Mexicans statewide, but more so in rural communities, are being asked to be proactive in completing the form online or by phone. The stakes are high in New Mexico and the 2020 Census will guide the distribution of billions in federal dollars each state receives over the next ten years. New Mexico needs YOU to RESPOND TODAY to ensure you count and that New Mexico gets the funds we need and deserve.

HOW TO COMPLETE THE 2020 CENSUS

To complete your Census online visit: www.my2020census.gov

To complete your Census by phone you may call: 1-844-330-2020

To complete your Census by mail, simply return the form you received (note if you receive mail at a PO Box you will not have received a form and you should complete the Census online or by phone).

Census responses are required and guides are available online in 59 languages. For more information visit www.2020census.gov

Tribal members can also visit here for more info.

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The Tribe was blessed with plenty of food to feed all our elderly. This afternoon we recently received a shipment of food from the NM National Guard. We are very thankful for their efforts and time in hand delivering crates of food to us.

Big shoutout to Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue, Parks & Recreation Dept., Conservation Dept., Center Maintenance and Tribal Maintenance for lending a hand in gathering and distributing food – you guys are the best!

For more information on tribal news regarding COVID-19, click here.

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In case you are a little unclear of how to protect you and your family during the current pandemic, here’s guidance from the CDC, a source that is very reliable.

Also, tribal members must follow Tribal Executive Order 20-02 in place. Get full details here.

View more important information on COVID-19 at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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Schools around the country are having to make decisions about different ways of learning for their students. Our Mescalero Apache School is working with parents to ensure their child(ren) are still getting an education. For details on high school and middle school in Mescalero, click here.

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10% DISCOUNT offered on ALL GROCERY AND DELI SALES at the Mescalero Tribal Store during the furlough period.

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