Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma
Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe headquartered in Miami, Oklahoma within the Modoc Tribal Complex. The Modoc Tribal Complex houses the tribal headquarters, tribal archives and the tribal library. Chief Follis is responsible for obtaining federal recognition and establishing a tribal land base.
The original home of the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma consisted of land along what is now the California-Oregon border. The Modoc were a culturally detached and unique band. The Modoc were hunters, fishermen, and gatherers who followed the seasons for food. They lived their lives in relative obscurity, but the arrival of the white European Americans in the early 19th century changed their lives forever.
The intrusion of the white settlers into the Pacific Northwest had a variety of social and economic effects on the Native populations. Initially the Modoc bartered with fur traders for guns and horses, which became necessary to remain competitive with neighboring tribes, but eventually the traders and the prospectors gave way to farmers and ranchers who had little regard for the Native inhabitants. These new American invaders traveled west by way of the Oregon Trail, which passed directly through traditional Modoc lands.
The Modoc learned to live peacefully with the new farmers and ranchers. They embraced many of the settler’s ways, and eventually began to wear clothing patterned after non-Indians. Even the names of the Modoc changed and they became known to their own people by the names given to them by the white man. However, as more and more settlers arrived each year, more and more land was needed to farm and to graze and as a result of the enormous pressure of white infiltration, the Modoc ceded their lands to the United States government and signed a joint reservation treaty in 1864. The Modoc agreed to live alongside the Klamath Indians, their traditional enemy.
When the Modoc War began, the Modoc warriors with their wives and children retreated to the nearby Lava Beds. This war stands out in American military history as one of the most incredible of Indian wars. For 6 months, Captain Jack, the fearless Modoc leader, with not more than 57 men withstood the U.S. army that numbered over a 1,000 men. Six Modoc lives were lost by direct combat while the U.S. Army lost 45 including E.R.S. Canby, the only general to lose his life in an Indian war. The Modoc War was probably the costliest Indian war ever fought.
When the war finally ended on June 1, 1873, Captain Jack and five of his warriors proved to be the only Indians in American history tried by a military commission for war crimes. Gallows had been constructed even before the trial began, and it was evident the verdict would be death by hanging. But just before the executions were to take place, the sentences of 2 warriors were changed to life imprisonment at Alcatraz Island. However, they were not informed of the change in their sentences until after they, along with the other Modoc men, women and children were forced to watch as their leaders were hanged. Captain Jack proved to be the only Indian leader executed for participation in one many Indian wars.
Then on October 12, 1873, 155 Modoc were loaded on 27 wagons and shipped to Quapaw Agency in Indian Territory. The terrible 2,000-mile winter ride in railroad cars intended for hauling cattle finally ended on November 16, 1873. The Quapaw Agency was not prepared to care for 153 persons with nothing but loose blankets on their backs. This was to be their home until June of 1874 when 4,000 acres were purchased for them from the Eastern Shawnee.
The first years following removal to Indian Territory were difficult ones for the Modoc. They suffered much sickness and many hardships due to the corrupt and cruel administration of Agent Jones at Quapaw Agency. During the first winter at the Quapaw Agency, there were no government funds available for food, clothing, or medical supplies. It would be almost a year after removal before funds were received for their needs. The death rate was especially high among the children and the aged. By 1879, 54 deaths had reduced the Modoc population to 99. By the time of the Modoc allotment in 1891, only 68 were left to receive allotments, many of which had been born after removal. Had it not been for the gifts of money and clothing from charitable organizations in the east, General William Tecumseh Sherman’s wish not to leave a Modoc man, woman, or child alive so the name Modoc would cease, would have become a reality.
In spite of the odds, the Modoc men and women persevered and survived. They rapidly took hold of their new lives, adopting the ways of the area whites and assimilating in order to survive. They worked at anything that brought them an income. Soon they were cultivating their own land and assured their own survival by continuing to improve the condition and productivity of their farmlands and livestock herds. It was reported that they sowed and reaped with the same persistent courage with which they had fought.
In May 1978, the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma was granted federal recognition. Recognition made the tribe eligible for Federal assistance. An application was promptly forwarded to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to purchase the Modoc Church and the four acres upon which it stands from the Society of Friends; and to restore the church to its original structure. The grant was awarded but was less than requested. An additional $24,000 from the Oklahoma Historical Society made it possible to complete restoration of the church.
While it is true tribal rolls no longer carry the name of a full blood Modoc, it is a tribute to their courage and determination and perhaps, ironic that despite General Sherman’s efforts to wipe the Modoc from the face of the earth, they have survived. As their story continues to be written, the legacy of the Modoc will always be one of pride, strength and uncompromising desire to carry on.
http://www.modoctribe.com/history.html
Bill Follis (Chief)
Tel: (918) 542-1190
Fax: (918) 542-5415
515 G St SE
Miami, OK74354-8224
Website: http://www.modoctribe.net
The original home of the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma consisted of land along what is now the California-Oregon border. The Modoc were a culturally detached and unique band. The Modoc were hunters, fishermen, and gatherers who followed the seasons for food. They lived their lives in relative obscurity, but the arrival of the white European Americans in the early 19th century changed their lives forever.
The intrusion of the white settlers into the Pacific Northwest had a variety of social and economic effects on the Native populations. Initially the Modoc bartered with fur traders for guns and horses, which became necessary to remain competitive with neighboring tribes, but eventually the traders and the prospectors gave way to farmers and ranchers who had little regard for the Native inhabitants. These new American invaders traveled west by way of the Oregon Trail, which passed directly through traditional Modoc lands.
The Modoc learned to live peacefully with the new farmers and ranchers. They embraced many of the settler’s ways, and eventually began to wear clothing patterned after non-Indians. Even the names of the Modoc changed and they became known to their own people by the names given to them by the white man. However, as more and more settlers arrived each year, more and more land was needed to farm and to graze and as a result of the enormous pressure of white infiltration, the Modoc ceded their lands to the United States government and signed a joint reservation treaty in 1864. The Modoc agreed to live alongside the Klamath Indians, their traditional enemy.
When the Modoc War began, the Modoc warriors with their wives and children retreated to the nearby Lava Beds. This war stands out in American military history as one of the most incredible of Indian wars. For 6 months, Captain Jack, the fearless Modoc leader, with not more than 57 men withstood the U.S. army that numbered over a 1,000 men. Six Modoc lives were lost by direct combat while the U.S. Army lost 45 including E.R.S. Canby, the only general to lose his life in an Indian war. The Modoc War was probably the costliest Indian war ever fought.
When the war finally ended on June 1, 1873, Captain Jack and five of his warriors proved to be the only Indians in American history tried by a military commission for war crimes. Gallows had been constructed even before the trial began, and it was evident the verdict would be death by hanging. But just before the executions were to take place, the sentences of 2 warriors were changed to life imprisonment at Alcatraz Island. However, they were not informed of the change in their sentences until after they, along with the other Modoc men, women and children were forced to watch as their leaders were hanged. Captain Jack proved to be the only Indian leader executed for participation in one many Indian wars.
Then on October 12, 1873, 155 Modoc were loaded on 27 wagons and shipped to Quapaw Agency in Indian Territory. The terrible 2,000-mile winter ride in railroad cars intended for hauling cattle finally ended on November 16, 1873. The Quapaw Agency was not prepared to care for 153 persons with nothing but loose blankets on their backs. This was to be their home until June of 1874 when 4,000 acres were purchased for them from the Eastern Shawnee.
The first years following removal to Indian Territory were difficult ones for the Modoc. They suffered much sickness and many hardships due to the corrupt and cruel administration of Agent Jones at Quapaw Agency. During the first winter at the Quapaw Agency, there were no government funds available for food, clothing, or medical supplies. It would be almost a year after removal before funds were received for their needs. The death rate was especially high among the children and the aged. By 1879, 54 deaths had reduced the Modoc population to 99. By the time of the Modoc allotment in 1891, only 68 were left to receive allotments, many of which had been born after removal. Had it not been for the gifts of money and clothing from charitable organizations in the east, General William Tecumseh Sherman’s wish not to leave a Modoc man, woman, or child alive so the name Modoc would cease, would have become a reality.
In spite of the odds, the Modoc men and women persevered and survived. They rapidly took hold of their new lives, adopting the ways of the area whites and assimilating in order to survive. They worked at anything that brought them an income. Soon they were cultivating their own land and assured their own survival by continuing to improve the condition and productivity of their farmlands and livestock herds. It was reported that they sowed and reaped with the same persistent courage with which they had fought.
In May 1978, the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma was granted federal recognition.
The Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma is headquartered in Miami, Oklahoma within the Modoc Tribal Complex. The Modoc Tribal Complex houses the tribal headquarters, tribal archives and the tribal library.
22 N. Eight Tribes Trail
Miami, OK 74354
Native Language
Economy
Federal recognition made the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma tribe eligible for Federal assistance. An application was promptly forwarded to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to purchase the Modoc Church and the four acres upon which it stands from the Society of Friends; and to restore the church to its original structure. The grant was awarded but was less than requested. An additional $24,000 from the Oklahoma Historical Society made it possible to complete restoration of the church.
While it is true tribal rolls no longer carry the name of a full blood Modoc, it is a tribute to their courage and determination and perhaps, ironic that despite General Sherman’s efforts to wipe the Modoc from the face of the earth, they have survived. As their story continues to be written, the legacy of the Modoc will always be one of pride, strength and uncompromising desire to carry on.
Today the Oklahoma Modoc operates a housing authority; one casino, established in 1998 together with the Miami Nation; and Red Cedar Recycling, which has been open to the community since 1996. They manage the Modoc Bison Project as a member of the Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative. They also issue their own tribal license plates.[1] The casino, known as The Stables, is located in Miami, Oklahoma, and includes a restaurant and gift shop.
Red Cedar Recycling provides free cardboard and paper recycling for area businesses and residents; they also pay the market rate for aluminum to recycle. The tribal company also provides educational materials about recycling and hosts tire recycling events.[4]
Bill Follis (Chief)
Tel: (918) 542-1190
Fax: (918) 542-5415
22 N. Eight Tribes Trail
Miami, OK74354
Website: http://www.modoctribe.net
