Modoc the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. After the war ended, 155 modoc who had fought alongside captain jack in the lava beds were transported as prisoners over 2000 miles by rail to the quapaw reservation in oklahoma. They are descendants of captain jack s band of modoc people, removed in 1873 from their traditional territory in northern california and southern oregon after the modoc wars. Modoc tribe of oklahoma 515 g street southeast miami, ok 74354 phone. The modoc tribe of oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe with about 300 members. For 6 months, captain jack, the fearless modoc leader, with not more. Those who either eluded capture or did not participate in combat against the united states were allowed to remain on oregons klamath reservation. Patterson, world book encyclopeedia millennium 2000. This war stands out in american military history as one of the most incredible of indian wars. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Modoc tribe of oklahoma agreed to purchase tulelake airport.
The ancestral home of the modoc tribe of oklahoma consisted of some 5,000 square miles of along what is now the californiaoregon border. The klamath tribes signed their treaty with the us in 1864 and members of the tribes were moved sometimes. Modoc indian tribes legacy, ties to oklahoma explained. The 350page book is the most comprehensive ever written on this incredible tribe. The modoc tribe offers a variety of services to assist families based on eligibility requirements and availability of funding. The way was paved toward the more famous, but no bloodier, battle at little bighorn and the battle at wounded knee, the last battle of the western indian wars and the final. While researching her tribe s history, james discovered the. The modoc tribe of oklahoma the modoc war of 187273 had a devastating impact on the modoc people. Many died over the next few years from unfamiliar diseases and the effects of the harsh climate.
Most of the people live in california, oregon, and oklahoma. Modoc, modoc tribe of oklahoma, kintpuash, klamath tribes, modoc traditional narratives, toby riddle, curley headed do books llc isbn. Kintpuash captain jack was hanged on october 3, 1873 for the murder of white us army general edward canby. This is an important book in the literature of the american indian, eminently readable but also scholarly. The nation has various ventures including red cedar recycling and the stables casino. The modoc tribe of oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe of modoc people, the smallest tribe in oklahoma and located in ottawa county in the northeast corner of the state. The modoc survivors of the war were exiled to the quapaw agency in oklahoma. The modoc did, however, occupy a part of california that is today known as modoc county. The klamath people lived in southern oregon, and the modoc lived further south toward the pit river in northern california.
The modoc war was the single most costly indian war in american history in terms of. The original home of the modoc tribe of oklahoma consisted of land along what is now the californiaoregon border. The modoc tribe of oklahoma territory was as much in presentday oregon as in california. List of native american tribes in oklahoma wikipedia. Eadweard muybridge photographed the early part of the us armys campaign kintpuash, also known as captain jack, led 52 warriors in a band of more than 150 modoc. The descendants of those who never left the klamath. This is a list of federally recognized native american tribes in the u.
Another perspective of the still controversial modoc war of 187273 is offered by robert aquinas mcnally in his new book, the modoc war. The book represents over a decade of research and writingthe dogged determination and struggle of one woman to tell the story of her people. The modoc were removed to indian territory following the modoc war in california. Their tribal headquarters is located in miami, oklahoma. United states american indians oklahoma indigenous peoples of oklahoma modoc people. The klamath tribes, formerly known as the klamath indian tribe of oregon, are now a confederation of three native american tribes who traditionally inhabited southern oregon and northern california. A story of genocide at the dawn of americas gilded. Keywordsmodoc oklahoma american indian tribe quapaw klamath miami stables.
The modoc were hunters, fishermen, and gatherers who followed the seasons for food. Find owner contact details and view photos of every casino owned by modoc tribe of oklahoma. The modoc people, consisting of about 200 people today, live in oklahoma, where the u. The modoc tribe of oklahoma is a federally recognized indian tribe organized under the oklahoma indian welfare act of 1936 with a constitution and bylaws approved by the united states secretary of the interior on july 27, 1990. About 600 members of the tribe currently live in klamath county, oregon, in and around their ancestral homelands.
Oklahomas smallest american indian tribe, the modoc were native to the pacific coast. This book is the most comprehensive ever written about this remarkable tribe, covering. Tribes of oklahoma request for information for teachers. Oct 01, 2008 james has written the story of the tribe, mo doc. This book is the most comprehensive ever written about this remarkable tribe, covering modoc history from ancestral times to the present. Only tribe exiled to oklahoma from the west, and as prisoners of war.
Native american history in oklahoma oklahoma primary. The modocs and their war civilization of the american indian. Native american facts for kids was written for young people learning about the modoc tribe for school or homeschooling reports. Modoc tribe of oklahoma agreed to purchase tulelake. They also shared some customs with the shasta to the west, and with the achumawi to the south. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. When it ended in 1873, with the execution of the tribal leaders and the relocation of the modoc tribe to oklahoma, the federal goverments peace commission was in tatters. Michele seikel edmon low library oklahoma state university stillwater, ok 74078 michele.
The modoc tribe of oklahoma offers automobile tags for tribal members. The modoc people lived on the west coast in the lost river valley on the present day california and oregon border before the 1860s. This book is the most comprehensive ever written about this remarkable tribe, covering modoc history from ancestral. The ancestral home of the modoc ran along what is now the californiaoregon border, but in 1874 relocation policies moved the tribe to 4,000 acres in the northeast corner of oklahoma. Ottawa county genealogy resources oklahomas official. It is the smallest tribe in oklahoma and is located in ottawa county in the northeast corner of the state. In addition to these, we operate a bison ranch that produces meat for sale. The modoc are a native american people who originally lived in the area which is now northeastern california and central southern oregon. They are also trying to revitalize their culture by translating books into penutian.
Modoc tribe of oklahoma casinos and gambling guide contains information like. Cheewa james, a direct modoc descendant, offers an explosive and personal story of her ancestrya richly documented, nonfiction narrative with highenergy, fictionalized inserts. The modoc where forced to a reservation in oklahoma, where disease and famine killed many of them. Oklahoma history from a native american perspective. Aug 07, 2016 the modoc tribe of oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe of modoc people, the smallest tribe in oklahoma and located in ottawa county in the northeast corner of the state. I walked away from the last page feeling more connected, understanding, and excited about the modoc peoples history and people of this book was my first dip into the waters.
The modoc reservation was established by agreement with eastern shawnee made june 23, 1874, and confirmed in indian appropriation act approved mar. In 1909, after oklahoma had become a state, members of the modoc tribe of oklahoma were offered the chance to return to the klamath reservation. Modoc tribe of oklahoma 22 s eight tribes trl miami ok 74354. The richly documented and illustrated nonfiction book also contains 30 fictionalized vignettes. History edit edit source brief timeline edit edit source 1864. Ive always been aware there was a big story and rich native american history, but never took the time to learn about it. This group included the modoc who stayed on the reservation during the modoc war, as well as the descendants of those who chose to return in 1909 to oregon from indian territory in oklahoma or kansas. Cheewa clearly has obviously done research, and also clearly cares about the subject. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Modoc indian reservation oklahoma genealogy familysearch wiki. The modoc tribe of oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe of modoc people, the smallest tribe in oklahoma and located in ottawa county in. The tribes government complex includes an archives and library, which is the only one in the area dedicated to native american history. Modoc tribe of oklahoma tribal enrollment the ancestral home of the modoc tribe of oklahoma consisted of some 5,000 square miles an estimated 3. Modoc is the southern dialect of the klamath modoc language.
Explore our collections, exhibits, archives, and resources online. Oklahoma native american tribes odl has gathered these resources to present information on tribal government and other sites related to the rich history of the oklahoma native american tribes for those interested in the geographic origins of the tribes who were removed to oklahoma. Today, the modoc tribe is split between oregon and oklahoma. Jul 16, 2018 the modoc tribe of oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe of modoc people, the smallest tribe in oklahoma and located in ottawa county in the northeast corner of the state.
Enrolled with the modoc tribe of oklahoma, cheewas father was one of americas first american indian professional basketball players. The modoc nation is a federally recognized indian tribe under the leadership of chief bill g. Works to revitalize the miami culture and language. Frank modoc left his oklahoma reservation for a quaker seminary over 120 years ago, fell victim to tuberculosis and never returned.
The modoc tribe of oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe headquartered in miami, oklahoma with approximately 200 enrolled members. The story is a prototype of native americans across america. Their language and customs were closely related to the klamath people, who lived in oregon, and some modocs share another reservation with the klamath people in oregon. While their tribal territory encompassed only a small area, it was one of panoramic ecodiversity with the perennially snowcapped peaks of the majestic cascade mountains in the distance. She was born on oregons klamath reservation and enrolled with the modoc tribe of oklahoma. Descendants of 7 of the 155 modoc prisoners of war still reside on the former quapaw reservation in oklahoma. New modoc war book mixes facts with compelling story local. While researching her tribes history, james discovered the. Oklahoma has the third largest numbers of tribes, behind alaska and california.
Modoc and klamath ceded land and moved to klamath reservation in oregon. Army relocated them following the modoc war of 18721873. Eadweard muybridge photographed the early part of the us armys campaign. The modoc war, or the modoc campaign also known as the lava beds war, was an armed conflict between the native american modoc people and the united states army in northeastern california and southeastern oregon from 1872 to 1873. Peoria tribe of oklahoma 118 s eight tribes trail miami, ok 74355 telephone. They are descendants of captain jacks band of modoc people, removed in 1873 from their traditional territory in northern california and southern oregon after the modoc wars. We encourage students and teachers to visit our main modoc website for indepth information about the tribe, but here are our answers to the questions we are most often asked by children, with modoc pictures and links we believe are suitable. Understand tribes have their own accounts of their tribal history often not written in books. While klamathmodoc is generally considered to be an isolate, there is evidence that klamathmodoc is related to sahaptian and molala, forming the plateau penutian language family. The modoc formerly occupied about 5,000 square miles 12,950 square kilometers on the californiaoregon border.