For the first time since the Modoc Nation, formerly
known as the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma, was granted
federal recognition as a tribe in 1973, the group has a
new chief.
Robert Burkybile III was elected the Modoc Nation’s
Chief last month following the death of Bill Follis, 89,
on Oct. 14. Follis had been the Modoc leader since the
tribe was re-recognized. The Modoc Nation consists of
relatives of Modocs who were removed to Oklahoma after
the Modoc War 150 years ago.
Burkybile, 36, has lived most of his life in the Miami,
Okla., area where the Modoc Nation has its offices,
casino and other operations. He said he hopes to
continue the tribe’s efforts to improve and develop
lands it has purchased in the far Northern California
counties of Modoc and Siskiyou near the Lava Beds
National Monument.
During a telephone interview, Burkybile said the Modoc
Nation’s goal is to improve private lands near the Lava
Beds National Monument for a planned Modoc Nation
Ranches bison range. He said it’s part of a larger
effort to re-involve the tribe in the region, with a
focus on the Tulelake Basin.
“The real story is now we’re on a fresh start. We’re
trying to focus forward,” Burkybile said, insisting the
goal is to improve and develop the tribe’s California
lands, which include about 1,200 acres at and near the
Tulelake Airport, for conservation, cultural connection
and economic development purposes.
The Modoc Nation has been involved in various
controversies, including its purchase of the Tulelake
Airport, which is being contested by the Tule Lake
Committee, a group of Japanese Americans whose families
were incarcerated at the Tule Lake Segregation Center
during World War II. The Tulelake Airport, which is
actually in Newell, was built on a section of the
segregation center.
Other controversial actions include the removal of
tribal members, including Cheewa James, a high-profile
Modoc and author of books about the tribe and its
history, who was later reinstated. Recently, hundreds of
others claiming Modoc heritage were removed from tribal
rolls following a contested election.
The Modoc Nation has and continues to oppose efforts to
have Lava Beds National Monument designated as a
national park.
Burkybile mostly declined comment on those issues,
instead emphasizing goals of “rebuilding bridges,
working on solutions, rebuilding trust and supporting
the local (Tulelake Basin) economy.”
He said the tribe’s primary goal for its far northern
California lands is focused on rehabilitating about
1,600 acres of sagebrush range lands the tribe has
purchased near north of Lava Beds for a commercial bison
herd. The tribe, according to its stewardship proposal,
is also hoping to buy another 700-plus-acres north of
the existing tribal-owned property.
Ken Sandusky, the tribe’s Klamath Falls-based resource
and development director, is overseeing the efforts. The
Modoc Nation Bison Range in northeastern Oklahoma, which
has about 200 bison, sells 100 percent bison burgers,
roasts, jerky, sausage and steaks.
Before being elected chief, Burkybile served as the
tribe’s second chief. He previously was the Modoc
Nation’s financial services executive director, a member
of the Modoc Gaming Authority and worked with the Tribal
Buffalo County.
Of becoming chief, he said efforts will also include the
tribe’s Tulelake Basin holdings, explaining, “The
California endeavor creates a chance for us to
reestablish ancestral homelands along with providing a
chance to improve the local economy for the benefit of
the (Tulelake Basin) community and our tribal members.”
His goals for those lands include “projects for
conservation, cultural connection and economic
development.”
Burkybile and Sandusky said they hope future plans to
develop a bison herd include working with the Forest
Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National
Park Service, along with other state and federal
agencies and neighboring land owners to create
opportunities for hunting and fishing and to develop a
historic tour route.
Sandusky noted tribal-owned lands include Modoc War
sites, areas of geologic significance and such features
as windmills built by white settlers. He said the
properties owned by the tribe, government and private
land owners could be developed to create a historic tour
route that would “tell the whole story” of early
indigenous people and pioneers.
Burkybile offered no specific plans for the Tulelake
Airport, which the tribe previously purchased from the
city of Tulelake. “We’ve run into a few obstacles,” he
said, referring to ongoing court cases challenging
whether the tribe can legally own a public airport. “Our
idea is to keep it as it is,” he said of airport
operations which are mostly used for crop dusting. “Our
only goal is to expand what is already there.”
In referring to the Tulelake Committee, which opposes
tribal ownership because the airport was part of the
WWII segregation center, Burkybile said of the
incarceration, “That was a terrible thing. We are allies
with them.”
Burkybile said the Modocs economic development does not
include supporting now-stalled efforts to have Lava Beds
designated a national park. Designation supporters
believe it would enhance the region’s economy by
attracting more visitors and provide better
opportunities to “tell the Modoc history.”
“I don’t think designating it as a park is the right
thing at all,” he said, expressing concerns that
increased visitation could harm cultural resources. “The
value of that (Lava Beds National Monument) is as a
heritage site. A lot of tribal folks feel the impacts
might not be the best thing.”
Burkybile said his concerns were amplified during his
initial visit to Lava Beds and neighboring lands. “The
first time was like a religious experience,” he said of
being at Lava Beds “I was there where my people come
from. I love it out there.”
Overall, Burkybile repeatedly emphasized his hopes to
work with improving the regional community and
collaborating with the Klamath Tribes. He and Sandusky
said improving, restoring and developing tribal owned
lands for wildlife bison is the immediate goal.
“It’s really a sincere commitment to focus on solutions
and positive outcomes. I’m seeing a commitment to
relationship building. Our plans are just for economic
development. We want to help the people of the Basin,”
Sandusky said, noting the tribe has invested nearly $1
million in the past year to projects like the Modoc
Nation Ranches. “Chief Rob brings leadership and a fresh
perspective. We’re looking to the future.”
“We have our sights set on the next generations and the
generations that follow,” Burkybile said. “Let go of
that old animosity and work together for finding
solution, for a strong commitment to healing. Hopefully
people will look at what is happening now.”
