My father was briefly stationed at Fort Sill and would always say that the Indians must have gone through absolute hell being there. He said that place was hell on earth.
Growing up I imagined the 1800’s to be a really long time ago. Watching this I realized my Grandfathers were boys when Geronimo passed away. Thank you for your amazing videos!
Wow! Mr. Skinner,I can listen to you read an old school newspaper, there is something very soothing about your voice and delivery that make one want to hear/see the whole video to the very end and still say "is that all?" You are one of the great story tellers of our time, I truly salute you👍
Thank you Jerry, I believe you did Geronimo honor by telling his life's story with compassion. I pray Geronimo rests in peace and all those who died on each side of the struggle.
@@hunkallgood73 the conflict is never one-sided, things are done tit for tat and BOTH sides suffer! My Indian friends tell me to always pray for your adversaries because they need it most!
Thank you for telling this story. What happened to the Native Americans was/is an atrocity. So tragic and heartbreaking. I pray their souls are at peace. I hope the legend is true that he is home in Arizona.
@Kenneth Decker The genocide still continues to this day. It is simply more sophisticated. It is not the past until there is true equality and reparation. You might call it "Unfinished business."
For some reason my notifications were turned off, so glad your video of Geronimo came up. My dad was born in the Fort Peck Reservation he was a sniper in ww2 and then became a stunt man in Hollywood for 39 years. I really appreciate what you do to keep history alive, story telling is a dying art we need to to keep telling people about our past. Thank you Jerry
Jerry, that was absolutely beautiful. he seemed like a good man at heart and a patriot to his cause. he saw much pain and much loss. one of your finest. my grandmother and father were from sonora, and spoke of these tales and of douglas, arizona. thank you.
In 1863 the black slave became free people ( which was a good decision ) however the Indian was enslaved. Their land, culture, dignity, freedom was taken. This was a tragic time in America. Lets not forget who was the real Native American, the owner of all the land. Today the Black people protest, and the Indian is still on a reservation.
@@delmarchipperson2049 sure but there’s a fine difference between children being inadvertently killed in a raid and the government literally putting a bounty on any native scalp literally incentivizing their troops with blood money to murder them all.
My great grandmother was Chiricahua Apache and she was actually born in Mexico. Her family fled over what is now the border into the Sonoran desert to avoid the US Army soldiers in the 1800's from what I learned. They originally lived in Gila County in AZ and in the early 1900's my family was spread out in both areas. Technically my great grandma is considered a Mexican since she was born there, even though she shows up in a US census in Gila County AZ in 1910 (she was 10 yrs old). Thanks for this video, I learned things I never knew before about Geronimo.
@@trent3872 Yeah, I hear that often. I'm mostly French, but that Apache DNA is strong and even though it was my great grandmother who was Apache you can still see it pretty strong in some of my family. Especially my aunt, she looks like me, but has black hair and looks way more native than I do.
This was a very poignant and heartfelt presentation about an American legend, the great Geronimo. Thank you, Mr. Skinner, for another wonderfully informative 25 minutes!
No he was not ... he was a disgrace to many Apache Indians ... me being Puerto Rican and being of Taino blood many many ancestors before born in Puerto Rican and my fathers fathers and mothers mothers before me ... I have no respect for this man , you go by your supposed history I go by mine
@@rafaelramirez1507 Disgrace? Because he finally surrendered? The U.S. Calvary kept well documented records detailing the war with the Apache & the surrender of Geronimo & the last of the warring Apache. Which was about 38 people including warriors, women & children. He surrendered to save his people from a complete genocide. Today there are over 850 Chiricahua Apache living. Some of them decendents of Geronimo. Maybe there's something I'm missing.. maybe he is a disgrace but thats a small price to pay to be a savior to his Chiricahua Apache tribe.
@@rafaelramirez1507 not sure how he’s a disgrace or that he would care about your cowardly disrespect, the man was a legend to friend and foe, still being remembered and memorialized over a century later definitely doesn’t sound like a disgrace to me. More like a legacy. Also what the fuck does it matter if you are Taino in a place literally 5000 km away from where he lived and fought? Was that just a mindless rant so people wouldn’t think you are a bigot? Which is all the more confusing as why you think you know so much about the man.
Somewhere on that jericalla Hills they made it sound like he escaped the way I was raised to believe sad the whole thing was just sad breaks my heart probably breaks God's heart breaks God's heart
Geronimo was my favorite Indian as a young boy . I had pictures of him and other warriors on my wall. His story always gets to me . Thanks for a fine review of this great man!
This is the best documentary of chief Geronimo I have ever seen, you breathed new life into a story I thought new well. Thank you for always bringing top notch content to your viewers.
For your information, and according to Jerry Skinner's presentation, Geronimo was never a chief, but a strong warrior and great leader of the Chiracahua apaches.
Thank you for giving us the history of our native Americans.I wish we had more information of our ancestors. Both grandmothers were of Indian decent. Don't know what tribe. Mom's mom was from Alabama an didn't talk about it except to family. She thought they send her to a reservation. My dad's mom didn't talk about it but her sister was open about it. They were a little darker.an born and raised in Arkansas. We should honor our Indian ancestors.
That first photograph of Geronimo is such a telling picture of him. He looks tough, capable, and ready for a fight. However, in his eyes, you can see the trauma of losing his loved ones and the fear of it happening again. I hope he is finally living in peace and reunited with those he loved so dearly.
Excellent job on your documentary. 🌟🌟🌟. So sad for Native peoples that treatment of them and living conditions have changed so little for these great people and warriors. The government should be so ashamed of themselves. Looking after refugees and caring not a hoot for the amazing Natives of this country. I am 71 now and since I was about 5 years old have been awe struck and simply fascinated with the culture of North America’s Native Tribes. Thank you again, Jerry. 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Apaches were raiders. Raiders are like pirates. Attacking other Indian tribes, stealing from them and enslaving them. And this was the unquestioned way of life for CENTURIES. Some American Indian tribes like the Apaches were the original slave owners. I hope we will get a video on Indian brutality and slave ownership but very unlikely. Only half the story can be told.
Amazing Geronimo could live that long. 79 years of age is a long life expectancy in modern time but especially back then even if a person was not a warrior!
A wonderful documentary... Geronimo led such a troubled and complicated life. Your video shows compassion and truth for this great warrior. May Geronimo Rest In Peace at last, and we pray for his People.
This is a very sad tale of treachery,deceit, and cruelty !! When the Mexicans and Americans put the Indians AND their families into a no win situation,and betrayed and killed them without mercy,you must feel great shame!! These were men,warriors who fought for their land and their families like any men!!! This is a shameful history.
Hi. Although I'm "white" looking and have green eyes but still a wide face and high cheekbones; I'm a descent of Geronimo and I still live in New Mexico... Geronimo's original homeland (he was born near Turkey Creek, Gila NM). Always grateful and empowered by being just related to him. He taught me that true wisdom speaks through the land, the mountains, the desert, the forest, and if you just silence your mind and listen; the ancestors -- the spirits -- will speak to you, and that is true power! Rest in Power my ancestor!
@@garymills562 Different bands lived in different regions throughout Arizona, NM, and even Texas before the coming of the Comanche. The general area called by Mexico was Apacheria.
Being of Spanish Cherokee and of Aztec Nahuatl ancestry and also 1st generation Mexican American its nard not to have mix emotions about the plight and savagery inflicted to natives while also appreciating the culture this mixture created .. thank you Jerry for this wonderful presentation of the legendary Geronimo! Cheers from Salt Lake City
One can only imagine, or not, the irony of being labeled a savage for trying to protect your own family & land. Many states today call it "Stand your ground". As an an American, 68 years, I've been ashamed for many many years of our treatment of native Americans. Sadly I won't live to see our Government make things right & sadly, I doubt they ever will.
Jerry, as I'm part native American, I truly appreciate the work and perspective you shared in this video. A fresh and true perspective, few film maker's have ever done. Very, very good work on your part to show both sides of the struggle. I wish you well and keep up your good work.
Thank you Larry, i watched your training video and enjoyed it very much. I keep wonting to go for a ride and my wife said i am to old to be on a horse. Is that not the craziest thang you ever heard? (Ha) Jerry
@@JerrySkinner1943 Hi Jerry, I hate to say it but your wife has a point. Unless your horse is well trained and reliable, you are at risk of injury. Few horses are what I would consider well trained and reliable. If you have such a horse, have at it. We only live once and should enjoy the things we love. Looking forward to watching your next video. Take care, Larry
You bertter believe! /That they will only do what they perceive will get promotion...But of course selfish motives can lead to faulty decisions sometimes.../
Thanks again for such an informative life story. As a Brit living across the pond in England, I was brought up on fables and daft films depicting the native people of America as 'savages'. These people had every right to live their own life, in their own way, on their own land. But HAD to become fighters to protect their families from European invaders. I feel so sad for these proud people.
The American Indian, is the true minority in this country. They owned the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Their tale with the Government is a sad one. The white man striped them of their culture, dignity, language. Shame Shame
@@spanishmasterpieces5203 the Apaches fought to keep Johnsons and Rodrigos both out of their area so think about that before you suggest mr Johnson go back to his country of origin. By your logic Rodgrigos go too. Question is who did the Apaches take the land from? They were vicious warriors and conquerors themselves like the Commanche. Right or wrong all nations in existence today and even in the 19th century are/ were the descendents of conquerors (Theives if you will). Just because one group crossed land to steal and the other crossed water to steal they both stole but everyone's quilty. Mankind is cold.
Thank you Jerry my family is from Fort sill so my mom my grandmother and my great grandma they were all born on the reservation there we are Cherokee and I am named after this great man thank you once again for this.
*Yes* this showed that all humans have the same make-up. I hope for him he is with first love if there was eternal life in those eternal hunting-grounds.
What a great video and story of a legendary man. A lot can be learned by all communities and peoples from this. A man defending his land, people, culture with some bad and some honourable morals. RiP Geronimo!
Jerry, thank you so much for the incredible documentary! I’ve always been fascinated by Geronimo and have read several books about him. You really did a great and very thorough description of his life.
Hi Jerry, this had a lot of feeling and meaning to me. I was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for 2 years in Bravo Battery 2/2 F.A. I ran by his grave every single day for P.T. and repelled down Medicine Bluff a couple times a month. The Bluff he and his horse escaped the U.S. Calvary by jumping off the bluff. On the Cannon walk is the original jail cell he was held in. It's literally no bigger than an old or current W.C. or outhouse for the folks who are unfamiliar with the term water closet. The man had an incredibly hard life. Salute Jerry, my fellow Veteran. Custer had it coming.
What a story and what a life this poor soul had to endure. Jerry,the way you put these documentaries together is amazing. How you find these pictures and document all this information amazing. I watch these stories over and over again, and thank you for taking the time to put them together. You are a blessing to people, thank you again Jerry, we all love you, please keep em coming. Augie and Jill Blase, winter Springs , Florida 🤠
I swear I’m related to the post surgeon Walter Reed. My uncle is the spitting image of this guy and our names just happen to be the same. I quite literally had to rewind several times. It was like seeing a ghost! The ghost of my uncle (whom passed away about 7 years ago) looking at me and in a military uniform.
@Kristopher Reed - Agree with WildWest Gal... look into online ancestry websites and get your DNA done and just maybe you'll find out that you are actually related. If I suspected such historically significant geneology existed within my family, I would definitely research it out to see if I were related(!)
@Rose Hines - How is Kristopher ”proud”!?? Those are your words/your ASSumptions! Ain’t nothing you or anyone else can do about how their ancestors conducted themselves that long ago, during a very different time and place in world history... you need to check yourself and also apologize to Kristopher!
Rose Hines you're an idiot. I didn't say anything about being proud. The comment was simply stating my surprise to see a man whom looked so much like my uncle and had the same last name. Probably should learn to read and understand English more precisely before deciding to critique others on their intentions behind their comment. Pure genius, you are.
My wife's grandfather met Geronimo and even got his autograph. He said that the Apache just looked like a "tired old Indian." General Douglas McArthur as a boy went on a campaign against him with his cavalry soldier father. What a young country we are.--Tom Reilly
I'm a Mexican Indian and my partner is an Apache. Let it be known I would have defended Geronimo. I would have fought the white colonizers with him, be them Mexican or American. Let the legend of Geronimo never die. One of the bravest warriors this land has ever seen. I stand with Geronimo. Great video.
Geronimo's name has lived on through not only history, but also through kid's all across America, just like myself in the 1970's....yelling his name "Geronimo-o-o-o-o" anytime we jumped off a high place or tree limb or doing anything we found to be Brave ! Thanks Jerry, now I know how that started.
In early 2019, I visited Fort Sill and saw his grave. What puzzles me is that the eagle is missing its head. Any idea why ? I also recommend the book Geronimo My Life. Native American warriors were feared by the Germans more than any other soldier.
Geronimo for me is a hero, I was in foster care from 1970 to 1987, I also call it a Prisoner of war camp as it was meant to take the Indian out of me. It nearly worked because after I aged out I didn't want to be Indigenous, until I was volunteered for a youth and elders camp and realized being Indigenous was a good thing. Up until then I mostly believed our people were not good people. Now I'm a knowledge keeper and continue to learn about my people.
Your videos of history are always interesting. Thank you for posting these and the research you do into the history. I appreciate your work. I also love history.
Since my childhood he has always been my Hero.He wasn't just a True Warrior fighting for his people,he was deeply religious and knew the mysteries of this Mother earth,very few know this.Its so sad he didn't talk about this.I feel,had he done so,than the more chance there would have been for Real Peace for his people. I grew up believing i was White and my friends at school would laugh at me and tell me " how can you be white when your skin is brown,your crazy ! ? I felt very uncomfortable and told my mom what my friends at school were doing to me and i asked her," mom,who am i then ? And she told me that i was Apache Indian,NEVER to tell anyone because our people were still in danger of being murdered by the Government and Descendants of white settlers.That i should tell everyone i was Mexican,that was safer.My journey into the Mysteries of the Aboriginals Worldwide began with my Hero...Geronimo !
Jerry, I'm both a PI and a huge fan of yours. As your content is of professional quality in its research, dialog and illustrations. Not to mention your choices and editorial pacing. Besides myself I think many would be interested in your bio as well as a separate "behind the scenes" video 📹 in regards to what you do and how you do it. Your process and production. ie : how you choice your subjects, time involved, research etc. Again, great job and much appreciation for your efforts
So sad that he could not protect all those wives and children. The times he lived and died in were a horrible scar on humanity. All that suffering and death for land and slavery.Never forget! I hope his whole family is gathered around him in the afterlife and he is in peace..
Amazing doc! Especially when I found out recently I am an Apache descendent in Ojos Caliente while speaking with my father about my lineage…Amazing work really!
I remember a story in a comic book many, many years ago in which some paratroopers in World War 2 jumped out of a plane and yelled "Geronimo!", but somehow got lost. So the ghost of Geronimo himself appeared, and in gratitude for honoring him by yelling his name, led them to where they needed to be.
Thank you, Jerry. I have visited many locations where he had lived, fought and where he surrendered at Skeleton Canyon. Having hiked many hours in Skeleton Canyon... the only way he could habe been captured was for him to walk out. I have visited Apache Pass (beautiful country), the location in Florida, and the cemetary in Fort Sill. I took the very picture of his grave marker shown here. It is my hope that his remains were returned to his home land he so loved. May he forever rest in pease! Small of stature; mighty in spirit. 🙏
@@rogerfloresdevalgaz In the words of the American Indian activist and actor Russell Means said, " Welcome to the reservation American." " You are giving up your Liberty and Freedom day by day in the name of security." Just as Benjamin Franklin has stated.
I love history all history I try to get a balance and perspective from all sides involved. I've always found indigenous native American history so fascinating. This was such a wonderful documentary about Geronimo. We must all remember to learn everything we can about the past there are lessons everywhere.
