1860–1955
Mediator between the U.S. military and the Apache
Information about her is sketchy-including her date of birth and the specifics of her death-but Dahteste (ta-DOT-say) was a member of the Chiricahua Apache band.
Dahteste fought with the warrior Geronimo when the Apaches warred against Mexico for having murdered Geronimo's family. She also fought against the United States for its encroachment and colonization of Apache ancestral lands. Dahteste was reputed to have been quite lovely, and fastidious about her appearance. Yet, even though she was married and a mother, she chose the warrior's path.
Alongside Ahnandia, her first husband; their family friend Geronimo; the fierce female fighter, Lozen; and others, Dahteste was celebrated for her warrior skills as she participated in battles and raiding parties.
At times, Dahteste was a trusted scout for the U.S. cavalry, and because she spoke fluent English, she was also a messenger-which enabled her to act as a mediator between the U.S. military and the Apache. Because of this, Dahteste helped convince the band of Apache fighters to surrender when continued resistance was no longer a practical option.
Even though her intervention prevented further bloodshed between the Apache and the U.S. military, Dahteste-along with the other survivors of Geronimo's resistance band-was sent to prison at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida.
During their years of incarceration in the squalid prison system, untold numbers of Native American Indians-including the woman warrior, Lozen-died from conditions such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and diphtheria. Although Dahteste did contract tuberculosis, she survived.
Along with Geronimo and other Apache prisoners of war, Dahteste was eventually transferred to a military prison at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During this time, she and her husband, Ahnandia, dissolved their marriage in the Apache way. Dahteste later married Kuni (or Cooni), a widowed Apache scout.
After 19 years of imprisonment, Dahteste, Kuni, Geronimo and other survivors were allowed to return to the Mescalero Apache Reservation where they would live out the rest of their lives.
Extra! To shore up daring when parachuting from airplanes during World War II, U.S. Paratrooper, Private Aubrey Eberhardt decided that only one shout could fully "pump up" the men's courage-Geronimo!
From then on, the yell, honoring a Native American, would forever indicate audacity and fearlessness-which was quite a contradiction to the Apache warrior's Chiricahua name, Goyathlay, which meant "one who yawns"!
Another little-known Geronimo fact: Toward the end of his life, Geronimo accepted the Christian faith and was baptized in Medicine Creek, Oklahoma Territory on July 1, 1903. He became a member of the Dutch Reformed Church and attended services regularly.
Geronimo stated, "I am not ashamed to be a Christian . . . I have advised all of my people who are not Christians to study that religion, because it seems to me the best religion in enabling one to live right."
In 1906, Geronimo also published his own book, Geronimo, The Story of His Life. S.M. Barrett, Superintendent of Education, Lawton, Oklahoma, was the story's recorder and editor.
Sources:
Geronimo, The Story of His Life, by Geronimo, recorded and edited by S.M. Barrett, 1906
Lozen, an Intelligent and brave Apache Warrior Woman, Ancient Origins webpage, 14 May 2016. Military Wikipedia, Dahteste
White, Julia, Dahteste, Mescalero Apache web page
Wikipedia, Dahteste
A version of the above article appears in 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World by KB Schaller, winner, International Book Award, women's issues category. Available through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007O46N0G; Barnes and Noble; and other booksellers. Website: http://www.KBSchaller.com; Contact: soaring-eagles@msn.com.
