Geronimo was a leader of what Native American tribe?

Geronimo which means "the one who yawns" was a leader and medicine man of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. Geronimo was never a Chief but he led bands of warriors on raids and against the U.S. Army.

He is best known for his ability to evade the U.S. military in his home territory of New Mexico and Arizona. From 1876 to 1886 Geronimo was put on a reservation 3 times, but he broke out each time. In 1886 he surrendered a final time and was sent to a reservation in Florida. Most of the Apache tribe had already been sent to Florida before Geronimo.

Years later Geronimo was sent to Fort Sill Oklahoma where he would live out his life. Geronimo had become a celebrity and attended many events including the 1904 Worlds Fair. Although he was a celebrity he was never allowed to return to his birth land. Geronimo died at age 79, on February 17, 1909. During his years of battle with the U.S. military, his name was greatly feared. Later the military would come to admire this warrior so much that they would yell his name as they charged into battle. This habit of yelling "Geronimo" is still popular today by both military and civilians.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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46 Comments

Stephanie Fox

Who's taking a knee for the 55,000,000 native Americans who were systematically murdered for land? #femaleveteran

scoder

Geronimo does not mean "one who yawns". It is Spanish for Jerome. Geronimo became his nickname because he led an ambush on St, Jerome's Day and the Mexican troops panicked and called for St. Jerome to protect them (it didn't work). His real name was Goyaałé [kòjàːɬɛ́] which in Apache means "one who yawns".

Tom McKenna

Gery Tillmanns, I am glad you brought that up, because as the Sioux suffered from American atrocities at Wounded kneed, and Cheyenne were killed in mass setting at Sand Creek CO and Washita, OK (Washita massacre was lead by George Custer), the Navajo and the Mescalero Apache we taken away from there land by Kit Carson and forced to walk ( called the long walk) to Bosque Rodondo near the Texas- New Mexico border which many of the peaceful people died. Today because of the mass shooting we call the people responsible terrorists, what about the American terrorists led by people like Custer, Covington, and Carson, isn't this the same. Thank God for good people like Sitting Bull and Geronimo. For the people who will criticize my comments, please read about our great American Chiefs.

jillbert

I grew up at fort Sill. Oklahoma from 1957-1973, my dad was stationed at fort Sill in the army 8times over his 22 year career in the army. He once introduced me to an Apache man named Jason Betinez who was one of Geronimos "running buddies" and was writing a book about their times together. The building where Geronimo had been kept at Fort Will was across the parking lot from Dad's office at the post headquarters building, McNair Hall. Dad had an autographed copy of I Rode With Geronimo by Mr. Betinez. Geronimo was a figure in the city history I of my home town of Lawton Oklahoma. In the early 1900s he was known to sell photos of himself for a dollar.

Dave Mac

scoder, thanks for the correction, your explanation of his name is better than the REF site that I used.

Diana Newman

Love all the American Indians, and I feel ashamed that it was people from my country that treated them so badly.

donpat

We were told many lies ab out the Indians in history classes.

jillbert

Geronimo is and his friends are also buried at fort Sill and their tribe is trying to have them returned home . Prayers.

Maureen McAteer Vasily

A brave and talented man who tried to mitigate the wrongs done to his people.

Gery Tillmanns

I better know that, just finished reading Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee.

paulress

scoder, thank you...was just about to post the same comment.

Cheryl Anne Bertenshaw

So sad to read about such a great man fighting gallantly for his birthright and then to live out his life as a prisoner.

galambos

Stephanie Fox, I will have to look up the number that died but I do know most of them died from disease brought by the white man. They were like sitting ducks. They had no defense against our bugs. Have great empathy for them, also a niece and nephew who are full blooded. Great people. I grew up in Indian country so had close friends who were Indian.

Cedric Walters

I maintain that had the Indians been more aggressive the story of America would be totally different now.. Christopher clumbsy could 'nt find his way across the street let alone a vast sea.

Don Racette

Criona Walsh And of course I got it wrong.

earlepg

A great inspiration for all of us. It's not right that his people have to be known as "Indians".

littledick

scoder, Interesting point. Shows how we often view native American culture. How could they possibly have their own language? St. Augustine, Fla., touted as the first continuous settlement in America (Spanish, of course), totally discounts the town of Old Oraibi,a Navajo continuous settlement in Arizona, predating St. Augustine by well over 100 years.