An oasis in the desert, the Chiricahua Apache Plaza in Akela, east of Deming, is a striking location on Interstate 10.
Our state-of-the-art travel center is well equipped for long haul truckers and families on vacation. From hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, and two trucker’s lounges to a well-stocked convenience store and smoking area, Apache Plaza has just about everything.
On Tuesday, the Warm Springs/Fort Sill Apache Tribe cut the ribbon to kick off the grand opening of the Travel Center. Local and state dignitaries were invited, along with tribal members from Lawton, Oklahoma.
Brady Jones, Project Director of the Plaza Travel Center, thanked the special guests for their participation, saying that the project and the tribe’s plans for economic development of the reservation in Akela. As part of that, he talked about how the project came together. Brady is also Vice President of Design and Development for Warm Springs/Fort Sill Apache in Lawton.
The Chiricahua people have a long history of presence in eastern Arizona and southern New Mexico. Its origins date back more than 100 years to 1886, when the tribe was rounded up as prisoners of war and relocated to Florida.
The tribe was imprisoned there for two years before eventually being transplanted to Fort Sill, where they now call home.
Mr. Michael Darrow led the audience in a benediction on behalf of the Chiricahua Apaches at the Akela Regional Travel Center in East Deming. (Headlight staff photo: Billy Armendariz)
“It’s still a bit awkward to fill in the land. We’ve been trying to keep some contact with government officials,” said tribal historian Michael Darrow. “Over the past decades, we have been able to acquire land. Land claims were settled with the Indian Claims Commission in the 1970s. In 2011 a reservation was given to our territory in Akela.”
The original Apache Homelands building still exists on the square and has been renovated. The café is newly renovated and a Southwestern-themed lounge greets truckers and customers.
The main attraction in the original building is the room that showcases the history and rare photographs of Chiricahua Warm Springs/Fort Sill Apache.
The new travel center has an area of 15,000 square feet and plans to build a water treatment center and a future volunteer fire station. Luna County Manager Chris Bryce said the county government and tribes are in discussions about plans for a fire brigade.
“Our fire trucks operate at speeds of up to 60 mph,” Bryce said. “Having a contingent of volunteers ready to respond to emergencies would greatly benefit our firefighting capabilities.”
Tribal president Laura Goodday Ware said heartily at the grand opening on Tuesday. She is descended from Apache Chief Mangas Coloradas and Mimbreno Warm Springs Apache Chief Loco.
“This would not have been possible without the work of our business committee and economic development authority,” said Goodey Weah, visibly moved. “Today we feel our ancestors. This is where it all started. They bring us energy.”
Gooday War thanked its employees and contractors for their efforts in getting the project completed and fully operational.
Store Manager Dennis Lopez welcomes guests to the new state-of-the-art Chiricahua Apache Plaza Travel Center. (Headlight staff photo: Billy Armendariz)
In 2008, tribal officials were planning to build a casino on the land. Former Gov. Bill Richardson ordered state police to cordon off the premises when the tribe moved in with several electronic bingo machines.
In 2009, the tribe held a paper bingo game, but it was closed again. The tribe was found to be violating India’s gambling laws.
This tribe holds future economic development plans for Akela’s Class II gaming venue.
A Scope meeting was held last June, Jones said, and public feedback was positive. The research conference was held at the Mimbres Valley Special Events Center in Deming and was well attended. Not a single local resident spoke out against the operation of the casino, most of whom questioned the employment opportunities and economic development associated with the facility. At the reception, tribal attorney Philip Thompson said: “I’ve been to some infuriating meetings about casinos in California and other parts of the country where we were looking for back doors.”
The Plaza has 16 petrol pumps and 4 diesel islands. The dog run is nearing completion and has over 70 parking spaces.
Currently, the Plaza employs 30-35 workers with a starting salary of $15/hour.
To contact Billy Armendariz: [email protected] Algernon Dammassa contributed to this article.
