Geronimo- Apache Warrior and leader (Famous Americans Series)

**DOUBLE EPISODE DROP DAY! In addition to episode 3 on Amelia Earhart you can also learn about Geronimo! Listen now! 

In Episode 4 of Check this out! Podcast4kids hosts Amy and Cece explore the life and legacy of Geronimo, the legendary Chiricahua Apache warrior and medicine man. 

In addition to learning about Geronimo as a man, listeners are introduced to important historical contexts, such as the Trail of Tears, the Mexican-American War, and the Apache Wars, which shaped Geronimo’s experiences. Geronimo was a symbol of resistance against the U.S. and Mexican forces, driven by personal tragedy after losing his family to violence. Listen to learn more! 

We discuss Geronimo’s courageous battles for his people, his multiple escapes from the U.S. Army, and his role in the Apache Wars. The episode, as always, wraps up with three  facts about Geronimo for listeners to research further, along with a poem!

***Website to learn what indigenous land you are on, featured in episode: native-land.ca 

#podcastforkids #historyofgeronimo #storyofgeronimo #whowasgeronimo #nativeamericanstories #geronimowarrior

Transcript

Cece Welcome to Episode 4 of “Check this out!” 

a podcast series for kids (and their grownups) where we explore interesting people, places, and ponderings that shape the world around us.   My name is Amy Contreras and I’m cece.  At “Check this out” we will discuss  everything from the history of sports, famous scientists and inventors, to the 7 wonders of the world.  In our first 10 episodes of “Check this out” we are learning more about Famous Americans who made an impact on the world around them.  

Episode 4 is special to me because this is about a brave man who stood up for his people, and he lived in Arizona- which is where I was born and raised!  In today’s episode we are going to learn more about the Chiricahua Apache warrior and medicine man, Geronimo and how he fought for his people and why we still talk about him over 100 years later.  

Cece Listeners keep your ears open 

Because at the end I’m going to highlight 3 interesting facts that you can continue to research on your own and check out more about after the podcast is done!  

To understand Geronimo and his life it is important to get an understanding of what was happening in the United States as Geronimo grew up and became an adult.  Geronimo was born in 1829 and lived until 1909. This means he died 116 years ago!   

Cece: That was a long time ago!  

When Geronimo was alive was a really complicated time in American history.  Here are just a few things that happened during that period.  

• The trail of tears happened from 1831 to 1850 - this was a forced relocation of thousands of Indigenous Americans to reservations from their ancestral homelands.  We will be doing an episode on the trail of tears in the future if you want to learn more.   
• The Mexican-American war took place from 1846 to 1848, which resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, where Mexico ended up ceding a lot of the Southwest to the US.  Ceding is a fancy word for giving the land over.     
• New Mexico became a US territory in 1850 
• The Gadsden purchase happened in 1854, which gave the US even Mexican more land that is today Arizona and New Mexico.  
• The Apache Wars  occurred from 1846 to 1886.  The apache wars were a series of conflicts that happened across the southwestern united states between the apache nation and the US army.  
• The American civil war took place from April of 1861-May of 1865.  
• Arizona became a US territory in 1863

LIsteners it’s important to remember as we look back at certain people or moments in American history that our country isn’t perfect. There have been a lot of challenging moments in the history of the US.  That is why we look back, so that we understand where we come from. When we understand where we come from we can shape where we go. 

Cece Check this out! 

If you live in the United States today, you are on indigenous land.  There is a really cool website you can check out with your grownups to learn what indigenous land you live on i encourage you to go to the website native-land.ca.  take your learning journey into your own hands and check out more about the indigenous people who lived in the United States before the white settlers and colonizers took their lands.  

You might not be familiar with the term Indigenous.  Indigenous means these people lived on the  land we know as the United States from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists.  In the US, these colonists were white and many were British, Spanish, French, and from across Europe.  The Smithsonian has a really cool museum and website where you can learn more about a number of Indigenous tribes if you want to check it out further! 

Now that the stage is set about the world into which Geronimo was born, let’s learn a little more about this famous Chiricahua Apache and his life and impact.  

Geronimo is one of the most famous Indigenous Americans of all time.  What, do you know about Geronimo, aside from his name?  

Well did you know…. 

• Geronimo wasn’t even Geronimo’s real name!  
• he was part of the Chiricahua Apache Tribe? 
• He famously evaded capture from the US Army and escaped a number of times into the desert and mountains 
• he was the last indigenous leader to formally surrender to the US army?  
• His bravery was so well known that people shout his name when doing risky or daring things.  Soldiers famously shouted “Geronimo” when jumping out of airplanes during WW1 and 2.  
• That while he is very famous he was not an Apache chief? But he was a leader and warrior! 

Well if you knew some of those things you’re a step ahead, but if you’re learning new things lets check out more about Geronimo!  

Geronimo was born in 1829 in what is now Northern Mexico.  As I mentioned, his birth name was not Geronimo! That was a nickname he gained later in life when fighting for freedom for the Apaches.  He was born Goyahkla (Go Yah Klah) , which means "one who yawns."  Geronimo spent his younger years in what is today the northern parts of Mexico, as well as Arizona and New Mexico.  He famously loved Arizona and spent much of his life there, fighting hard to get back to arizona later in his life.  More on that later.  

Geronimo was born into the Chiricahua Apache tribe, which is one of several divisions within the Apache nation.  The Chirichahua’s historically were a hunting and gathering people, which meant they had to move camp often so they could find new food sources.  

We don’t know much about Geronimo’s childhood, but it is known that Geronimo was a skilled hunter and led successful raids on nearby tribes as young as age 17.  As a young man, Geronimo became a warrior and learned to fight to protect his people. He faced many challenges, especially when the Mexican army and white settlers moved into Apache land and tried to take it for themselves.  The Apache wanted to keep their  way of life, but there were many battles and conflicts for territory. 

The Apache were famous for resisting colonial aggression and the US army’s attempts to claim their lands.  Geronimo was admitted into the warriors council of the Chirchaua in 1846, which resulted in him participating in raids.  

Geronimo married his childhood sweetheart and had 3 children with her.  But he experienced a personal tragedy early in his life when Mexican soldiers killed his mother, wife, and 3 children while he was out gathering supplies in a nearby town. This event changed the course of Geronimo’s life, which led to him seeking vengeance against those who harmed his family or people. After his family was massacred, Geronimo chose to wear his hair short for the rest of his life. as a sign of mourning.

His family’s murder at the hands of the Mexican army fueled his desire to fight against those he saw as threats to his people.  Specifically, the Mexican army and eventually white colonizers as well as the US army.   Keep in mind, the Apache lands and other indigenous lands were being repeatedly taken by non indigenous people, with no payment or little compromise.  

Geronimo fought for over 25 years against the U.S. government and Mexican forces, becoming a key figure in the Apache Wars, alongside important indigenous figures like Chief Cochise and Chief Mangas. 

Had you heard about the Apache Wars of the Southwestern US before today’s podcast? 

The Apache Wars were a series of violent conflicts between the United States Army and various Apache tribes, primarily fought in the American Southwest between 1849 and 1886 (almost 40 years!), stemming from the expansion of American colonists into traditional Apache lands.  The wars were marked by guerilla tactics, ambushes, and notable leaders like Chief Cochise and Geronimo.

In 1874, 4000 apaches, including Geronimo, were forcibly moved to an indian reservation in San Carlos, Arizona.  This reservation was on barren land.  The land was so dry and empty it led to them being unable to perform their ceremonies, religious rites, or even being able to find supplies. This resulted in them escaping the reservation and raiding for food and supplies.  

I mentioned earlier that Geronimo escaped capture a number of times in his life.  Take a guess, how many times do you think Geronimo escaped from the US army?  

1. 7 times
2. 5 times
3. 3 times 

If you said C- 3 times, you got it! His famous escapes made him notorious, and the newspapers loved covering his escapades.  Especially because once he escaped he was REALLY hard to find.  This helped build his celebrity and larger than life persona.  Many people knew who Geronimo was because the newspapers loved writing about him.  Here is a little more on his escapes… 

In 1876: Geronimo and some followers escaped the reservation they were forced onto in Arizona and fled to Mexico, but were captured in 1877 

1881: Geronimo fled to the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico after the U.S. army began arresting prominent Apache warriors 

1885: Geronimo and about 150 followers fled the reservation one last time

It took over 5000 white soldiers and 500 indian soldiers to capture Geronimo and his band of 37 before his final surrender and last capture in September of 1886.  

Cece: Check this out! 

Geronimo was the last Indigenous American leader of any tribal nation to formally surrender to the US Army.   

After his final capture in 1886 Geronimo was put into a labor camp and tried to assimilate into white culture.  He farmed and joined a church but the church kicked him out because he liked gambling, which was not allowed.  Geronimo hated farming and what he called “the white man’s road” and missed the Apache traditions and ways of life.  He desperately missed Arizona and repeatedly asked to be allowed to return but was denied by the US government.   He spent the last 23 years of his life as a prisoner of war. The last 14 years of his life were spent as a prisoner at Fort Sill.  

Geronimo did travel a bit in his years as a prisoner of war with world’s fairs and wild west shows.  These types of shows were very popular in the late 1800s.  He was seen as a person of great curiosity and fame, even after all the raiding, battles, and escapes.  Geronimo drew huge crowds when he would travel with these shows.  

Geronimo died of Pneumonia in February of 1909 and is buried at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.  He was never permitted to return to the southwest.  

Geronimo became a symbol of resistance and is remembered for his courage and fighting spirit. Geronimo continues to be an important figure in Indigenous American history. His story teaches us about bravery, perseverance, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Here are 3 facts for you to take away from this episode to check out on your own!  Remember, when you do additional research on Geronimo, the Apache Wars, or Indigenous leaders make sure to ask a grownup for help.   

3 facts about Geronimo and the time period he was alive that you can check out further!  

1. Learn more about how Geronimo got his nickname! There are a number of theories, that include Mexican Soldiers calling out to St Jerome when fighting against Geronimo.  
2. Although Geronimo lost his wife and children to Mexican forces he married again.  Learn more about his family! 
3. Geronimo believed bullets couldn’t harm him.  Learn about how often he was injured and how often he recovered.  
4. Bonus- learn about the other famous Indigenous leaders he worked closely with like Chief Cochise.  

By now if you’ve been listening to our podcast you know we don’t just love investigating cool people, places, and ponderings from history.  We also love to rhyme!  

Cece: We wrote you a poem.  

Here is a poem we created about Geronimo to help you remember his impact and why we remember him as a famous American! 

When you hear the name Geronimo, remember a brave soul, ready to go!
With a heart full of fire and eyes on the prize, He fought for the Apache, oh how they would rise! 

Through trials and strife, his courage shone bright, For family and land, he stood up to the fight. 

With bravery unmatched, he would not retreat, Against mighty foes, he faced every feat. 

Through battles and intrigue he found a way, his legendary escapes famous to this day.  

While history found him captured and held, His legacy lives on, one who would not meld

A symbol of strength, in our minds he’ll remain, Geronimo’s spirit, a warrior through pain. 

Thanks for listening to another episode of Check This out as we explore Famous Americans. 

At the “check this out” we know it can be hard to know if information you find online is accurate!  On “check this out” we use verified sources to build the stories you hear about. Our sources for this week's episode are encyclopedia britannica, the smithsonian institute, the US national archives, History.com, and national park service.  

Thanks for exploring with us at Check This Out!  See you next episode.  

Sources 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Geronimo 

https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/geronimo 

https://www.nps.gov/chir/learn/historyculture/apache-wars-geronimo.htm 

https://www.biography.com/political-figures/geronimo 

https://yavapai-apache.org/ 

​​https://southernarizonaguide.com/geronimo-place-man-time-books-geronimo/ 

https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2022/11/22/geronimo-apache-chief/

​​https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/geronimos-decades-long-hunt-for-vengeance-71613221/