Modoc Nation enters into federal agreement
MIAMI, Okla. — The Ottawa County-based American Indian tribe, Modoc Nation, signed a federal agreement allowing stewardship of its cultural resources.
The Tribal Historic Preservation agreement “is a monumental step for the Modoc Nation to participate in our own historic preservation,” said Modoc Nation Chief Robert Burkybile in a prepared statement.
“The responsibilities bestowed to us allow the Nation to preserve and protect our culture, our sacred sites, and our ancestors; without which, we would not be here.”
The Tribal Historic Preservation agreement falls under the umbrella of the National Park Service. The program assists American Indian tribes in strengthening their historic preservation programs managed through Tribal Historic Preservation Offices on tribal lands.
The agreement allows for the transfer of certain historic preservation responsibilities to Tribes that would otherwise be the responsibility of the state.
The agency is also welcoming the following new Tribal Historic Preservation partners:
Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Lovelock Paiute Tribe of the Lovelock Indian Colony, Nevada
Prairie Band Pottawatomi Nation, Mayetta, Kan.
Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Meskwaki Nation), Tama, IA
Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of California, Corning, CA
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
Summit Lake Paiute of Nevada, Sparks, NV
Delaware Nation, Oklahoma
Tule River Indian Tribe, Porterville, Calf.
