Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona

Explore the annual subsistence cycle of the Western Apache. In the 1860s, the Apaches' annual subsitence cycle include gathering, hunting, farming, and raiding according to the season and their needs. Click on the yellow stars throughout the calendar wheel to see images and videos.

Calendar Wheel

Learn what resources and tools the Apache traditionally used to make clothing and for hunting and raiding.

Items used for clothing, hunting, and raiding

In this portion of the tour, we hear a traditional story about the Apache Mountain Spirits as told by White Mountain Apache Elder Edgar Perry. 

(There are additional worksheet activities for this portion of the kit attached below)

The Mountain Spirits Story

In this portion of the tour, Miss Mae goes over the many natural resources that the Apache use.

Resources of the Apache

Learn about the various tools that are made and used by the Apache. See the additional activity worksheet attached below.

Tools the Apache Use

Miss Mae introduces us to the Western Apache people and where they live. 

Paths of Life: The Apache Introduction

In this portion of the tour, Miss Mae goes over the traditional farming practices of the Apache.

Apache Farming Practices

Learn about the many uses of the agave plant and how it is used to make Apache violins.

Apache Agave Cultivation

Meet your tour guide, Miss Mae, to discuss anthropology and culture, research and the scientific process, and Native Nations of Arizona to prepare for your virtual Muse2You exhibit tour about the O'odham.

What is Anthropology?

Can your recall? After listening to the Mountain Spirits story see if you can put these events in order from 1 to 10

Mountain Spirits Worksheet Grades 3-5

Learn the various ways the Apache us the reservation lands and the importance of these land to their identity.
There are links to additional information about the fight to preserve Oak Flat attached below.

The Apache Today

Help the Apache boy find the cave of the Mountain Spirits by using the map and the clues below.   First, pick a color by clicking the Stroke box.   Next, set brush size to be large.   Finally, follow the directions above the picture.

Mountain Spirits Mapping Activity

Learn about the imprisonment of the Apache on the San Carlos Agency and what one band attempted to do for their freedom.

There is an additional cross word puzzle activity attached below for this portion of the tour.

The Formation of the Reservations

Draw or make a list of tools next to the picture of the resources below and describe in a few words its function. HINT: Refer back to the video if you can't remember which objects go with each resource.  Circle your favorite tool.

Apache Tools Worksheet

Miss Mae introduces you to Western Apache history and culture on this virtual exhibit tour at the Arizona State Museum. The Western Apache tribes of Arizona are the White Mountain, San Carlos, and Tonto.  (All discussion questions can be found in Educator Resources.)           

ASM Muse2You Paths of Life video tours created by Larea Lewis and produced by Larea Lewis and Lisa Falk, 2022. Museums for Digital Learning ASM Paths of Life resource kits produced by Sarah Willwater and Lisa Falk, 2024.

Paths of Life_ Western Apache Discussion Questions.pdf

Educator Overview-Apache-updated.docx-1.pdf

Paths of Life Tour: The Apache (White Mountain, San Carlos, and Tonto)

Economics

Social Studies

Geography

U.S. History

This tour reinforces skills in using primary sources, visual literacy, observation, listening, map reading, scientific process, farming methods, and cultural competency. It increases awareness of Indigenous history, Indigenous culture, traditional ecological knowledge, and impact of Spanish, Mexican, and American cultures and laws on Indigenous peoples.

The Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, is located on land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples for 13,000 years. Today, the Tucson area is home to the Tohono O’odham and the Pascua Yaqui. Currently there are 22 federally recognized tribes with reservation lands in the state of Arizona. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University and ASM strive to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities.

Arizona State Museum's Muse2You! Virtual Museum Tours were created by Larea Lewis. Larea is a tribal member of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians from Palm Springs, CA. She served as a school programs educator guiding ASM fieldtrips and presenting outreach programs for many years. At the University of Arizona, Larea is pursuing a PhD in American Indian Studies focused on federal Indian law and policy. She holds a MA in Anthropology and a BA in Flute Performance. Her interests are in protecting and preserving cultural resources and landscapes, as well as learning and revitalizing her tribe’s cultural heritage. Currently, she serves as Chairwoman of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Paths of Life Tour: The Apache (White Mountain, San Carlos, and Tonto)

What is Anthropology?

Background Knowledge

Welcome to Arizona State Museum