Mission Statement

The San Carlos Apache Tribe, Nnee Bich’o Nii Program will provide eligible individuals the opportunity to become economically independent through education, training and employment. Nnee Bich’o Nii will strengthen families through the recognition of Apache customs and traditions. We will remove barriers by providing case management and education and employment related-support services.

Welcome Address

Dagot’éé (Hello). I am Bernadette Kniffin, Director and originator of the Nnee Bich’o Nii “Helping the People” TANF and Public Transit Services. It is my honor to introduce you to our program. This program is designed to “Empower and Help our Apache People” of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. It has been a long journey to get where we are today and with God’s blessings, we will continue to grow.

The purpose of the Nnee Bich’o Nii Services is to help parents to become self-sufficient to provide for their families. We are doing this by working with parents to build strong relationships with each other and their children through the Fatherhood is Sacred and Motherhood is Sacred programs. We also provide On-The-Job training through our Community Development Project, which is gaining recognition locally and nationally for their excellent work done by the instructors and participants. Since our main focus is on the children, we have created the Kinship program for the children that are taken care of by their grandparents or other relatives.

Apache Transit was recognized as the 2019 Tribal Transit Champion by the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP). We, as a TEAM, were honored to receive this national recognition for all our dedication to the people. Remember, there is no ’I’ in TEAM Work!

Both programs under Nnee Bich’o Nii Services was created as an Economic Development Partnership Project to empower our community members by creating and offering Training, Education, Transit Mobility geared towards “Self-Reliance.” Thank you and enjoy the contents of our website.

As always, We Give Thanks to the Creator!