First came the Spanish Conquistadors and soon thereafter the Texians
and then the Americans and they all laid claim to a land once
inhabited by the Lipan Apache.
The greatest skill the Lipan Apache possessed was stealth. They
were taught how to walk quietly on any terrain and how to hide in
plain sight. As events unfolded over the centuries,
the Lipan Apache transitioned from open warfare to exercising
this grand skill of visible invisibility.
For those who doubt this point of substantiated history, we suggest that you look about.
Our People are now living as American and Mexican citizens and have served their countries
as rugged individuals in contribution to their adopted homelands. Among our
population you will find generations of heroic Veterans, teachers, policemen,
pastors, entrepreneurs, and rocket scientists. This is but a short list of the
many ways we have learned to not only survive, but excel in the new world around us.
Our journey has been difficult and our story needs to be told. Our children will
be taught of our old ways, as well as the new. Our Ancestors will be honored by
our acts of integrity. Through prayerful intent and respectful actions our language
and traditions shall not perish.
The Lipan Apache Culture Center and Museum opened on October 18, 2008. It is at this
place we will tell our story. It is at this place where we will archive Tribal records,
provide a refuge for research, as well as artifacts and historic records.
Never in our history have we claimed one place as home. Most of Texas and Northern
Mexico are the lands we roamed, but never have we had a place where the heart of
our People can beat and be safe.
I am the Chairman of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. It is my charge to keep
the heart of my People strong and with your help we can accomplish this honorable
task together.
Bernard F. Barcena Jr.
Chairman of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
Founding Benefactor…$1,000.00/Founding Patron …$500.00/Founding Friend… $100.00
[Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas is a tax deductible 501 (c) 3]
Please direct all questions to Tribal Administrator Tom Castillo (830) 229-5102.
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