A Linguistic Approach to Demographic Problems: The Tonto-Yavapai Boundary

Abstract

Ethnographic studies (see especially Gifford 1936 and Goodwin 1941) of the Western Apache and the Yavapai Indians have resulted in disagreement as to the boundary between the two tribes in central Arizona. In particular, E. W. Gifford whose ethnographic studies were concentrated particularly on the Yuman-speaking tribes, considered the northeastern portion of Northeastern Yavapai territory to extend into country that Grenville Goodwin, who worked with the Western Apaches, described as being occupied by the Northern and Southern Tonto Groups of the Western Apaches, the area of disagreement being the northwestern portion of the territory assigned to the Tontos by Goodwin (see map). The area involved extends from the northern end of the Mazatzal Mountains across the lower portion of the East Verde River and includes all of the Verde River drainage from the east from Fossil Creek to the eastern side of Oak Creek. The western edge of the area follows Oak Creek and the Verde River, except for an area west of the Verde extending from the mouth of Oak Creek to a point about half way between the mouths of Clear Creek and Fossil Creek. Goodwin (1941:38-40, 44-50) described this area as being Tonto Apache country which was inhabited by Athabaskan speakers together