Leadership

Calvin Johnson, Chairman
Charles Lopez, Vice Chairman
Lucinda Flores, Council Member
Joe Morgan, Council Member
Steven Johnson, Council Member

(updated November 2022)

Contact Information

Address: Tonto Apache Reservation 30

Payson, AZ 85541

Phone: 928-474-5000

Community Health Representative:

Michelle Johnson michellej@tontoapache.org

Chairman, Education Committee:

Belinda Guerra bguerra@tontoapache.org

Website

GOVERNANCE: The Tonto Apache Tribe is governed by a Chairwoman, Vice Chairman, and three council members. Council members serve two-year terms, the Chair and Vice Chair serve four-year terms.  Elections are held annually on the second Saturday of June. Annual meetings are held the second Saturday in October. The Tonto Apache Tribe is in Congressional District 4; Legislative District 6.


CONSTITUTION: 

The Constitution of the Tonto Apache Tribe, (Adopted 1979)

The Constitution of the Tonto Apache Tribe, (Adopted 1979)
view | download 104.37 KB

COMMUNITY PROFILE: The traditional lands of the Apache Ndeh (The People) extended from Texas through New Mexico and Arizona into Mexico and California. Over time, the many bands of the Apache were forcibly relocated to reservations. The Rio Verde Reserve was established in 1871 for the Tonto and Yavapai Indians. In 1875, the Tonto and Yavapai were forcibly moved to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Twenty years later, some of the Tonto Tribe returned to the Payson area. The Tonto Apache Tribe was federally recognized by Congressional Act in 1972. 

According to the 2018 Census, approximately 140 individuals live on Tonto Apache Tribal land in northwestern Gila County, approximately 95 miles northeast of Phoenix. The Reservation is 85 acres adjacent to Payson, Arizona, and is the smallest land base Reservation in the state. 

The Tonto Apache Tribe is known for bead work and basketry, items that can be purchased on the Reservation. The Tribe operates the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino, one of the largest employers in Payson, Arizona.

 

Tonto Apache Tribe Reservation or Off Reservation Trust Land

Arizona

United States

Total Population*  140 6,946,685 322,903,030
Number of Households 44 2,524,300 119,730,128
Average Household Size 3.18 2.69 2.63
Median Age 38.7 37.4 37.9
Population Under Age 18 32.9% 23.5% 22.8%
Population Over Age 65 14.3% 16.7% 15.2%
Speaks a Language Other Than English in Household 37.8% 27.2% 21.5%
Married-Couple Households 44.0% 57.0% 58.6%
Owner-Occupied Housing Units 86.4% 63.6% 63.8%
Age 25+ with High School Degree or Higher 63.7% 86.8% 87.7%
Median Household Income $20,000 $56,213 $60,293
Below Federal Poverty Threshold 17.1% 16.1% 14.1%
Households with at Least One Computing Device 75.0% 89.9% 88.8%
Households with a Desktop/Laptop 68.2% 79.7% 77.9%

*All statistics are from the 2014-2018 American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.