Boarding School and Land Allotment Eras 1879-1933

1912

Apache are forced to build Roosevelt Dam in Arizona

Roosevelt Dam in 1911. Image: Popular Mechanics Magazine
Roosevelt Dam in 1911. Image: Popular Mechanics Magazine

Apache workmen are chained at night so they will not run away from building the Roosevelt Dam. They are chosen for enslavement because they are capable of navigating narrow mountainous routes into the dam site. Apache and other Indians whose lands are in the areas identified for irrigation routes have their lands stolen through fraud or outright theft (Nies, 1996).

Traumatic Event