Wendell Chino (December 25, 1923 - November 4, 1998) was an Apache minister known for his defense of tribal sovereignty[1] who served as the leader of the Mescalero Nation for over 40 years.

He is also known to have served as chair of National Congress of American Indians and an associate pastor of the Mescalero Reformed Church for 4 years.

This was highlighting Indian leadership and recognized him as "a school boy who is being trained to be a general helper at the mission and whom it is hoped will develop into a leader as he grows older."

Not much else is known about his early child hood, but after attending the Indian school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Chino continued his education at Central College in Pella, Iowa due to a grant from the Reformed Church.

He did not enjoy this and wanted to quit, however Ten Haken reminded him that Christ depends on Christian workers to resolve issues.

[6] A meeting was held run by Chino where 171 tribes and 1,500 American Indians and Alaska Natives came to together to express their concerns and desires for a better life.

[5] With this organization, Chino and others advocated for better social services, comprehensive health, and the economic well-being of Alaska Natives and American Indians.

[8] On March 19-20, 1979, Chino appeared in court hearing along with Clyde Bellecourt, Theodore Means, and Barbara Namias to address National Indian Civil Rights Issues.

Peter Domenici, US senator; Gary Johnson, governor of New Mexico; and Manuel Lugan, former secretary of the US Department of the Interior all spoke at his service.