Our Story
Dilzhe'e: Tonto Apache
The Tonto Apache People, Dilzhe'e, have a long-standing history residing in the Rim Country, predating the establishment of Payson. Despite enduring forced extradition during the Indian Wars of the 1800s, the tribe persevered and was resolute in retaining their land. In the 1970s, Chief Milton Campbell led the tribe in their efforts to obtain the current reservation land, working tirelessly towards gaining federal recognition of the Tribe in 1972.
The School
Established in 2023, the Tonto Apache Community School became the Tribe's first educational system offered on the reservation. Forming as a non-profit organization under Tribal law, the school exercises educational sovereignty under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
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Prior to the school's establishment, Director Tawnee Johnson operated a micro-school program for several years on the reservation through public charter partners. Since becoming tribally-controlled, the school has freedom in curriculum choice as well as cultural influence which is a cornerstone of the school's mission, to provide community-based, quality education.
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Alongside forming the Tonto Apache School for primary and elementary grades, the Tribe also established an early learning program. This program, coordinated by Ms. Saundra Lopez is designed to meet the needs of early childhood education and support development for tribal youth from infancy to Kindergarten readiness.
