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Geronimo
Geronimo ("the one who yawns") was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. From 1850 to 1886 Geronimo joined with members of three other Chiricahua Apache bands to carry out numerous raids and resistance to US and Mexican military campaigns in the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora, and in the American territories of New Mexico and Arizona.

Geronimo's raids and related combat actions were a part of the prolonged period of the Apache-United States conflict, that started with American settlement in Apache lands following the end of the war with Mexico in 1848. While well known, Geronimo was not a chief among the Chiricahua or the Bedonkohe band. However, since he was a superb leader in raiding and warfare he frequently led large numbers of men and women beyond his own following.

During Geronimo's final period of conflict from 1876 to 1886 he "surrendered" three times and accepted life on the Apache reservations in Arizona as a prisoner of war. Reservation life was confining to the free-moving Apache people, and they resented restrictions on their customary way of life. In his old age, Geronimo became a celebrity. However, he was not allowed to return to the land of his birth. When he died, he was still a prisoner of war. He is buried at the Fort Sill Indian Agency Cemetery surrounded by the graves of relatives and other Apache prisoners of war.

Born 16th June 1829 in Arizpe, Sonora, Mexico
Died 17th February 1909 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, United States

While living I want to live well.

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