Volume 92 · 246
Public Law 95–281
To reinstate the Modoc, Wyandotte, Peoria, and Ottawa Indian Tribes of Oklahoma as federally supervised and recognized Indian tribes.
Approved May 15, 1978
Statutory text
An Act
To reinstate the Modoc, Wyandotte, Peoria, and Ottawa Indian Tribes of Oklahoma as federally supervised and recognized Indian tribes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That
Federal recognition is hereby extended or confirmed with respect to the Wyandotte Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, the Ottawa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Peoria Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, the provisions of the Acts repealed by subsection (b) of this section notwithstanding.
The following Acts are hereby repealed:
the Act of August 1, 1956 (70 Stat. 893; 25 U.S.C. 791–807), relating to the Wyandotte Tribe;
the Act of August 2, 1956 (70 Stat. 937; 25 U.S.C. 821–826), relating to the Peoria Tribe; and
the Act of August 3, 1956 (70 Stat. 963; 25 U.S.C. 841–853), relating to the Ottawa Tribe.
Rights and privileges.(c)
There are hereby reinstated all rights and privileges of each of the tribes described in subsection (a) of this section and their members under Federal treaty, statute, or otherwise which may have been diminished or lost pursuant to the Act relating to them which is repealed by subsection (b) of this section. Nothing contained in this Act shall diminish any rights or privileges enjoyed by each of such tribes or their members now or prior to enactment of such Act, under Federal treaty, statute, or otherwise, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.
Except as specifically provided in this Act, nothing contained in this Act shall alter any property rights or obligations, any contractual rights or obligations, including existing fishing rights, or any obligation for taxes already levied.
Sec. 2.
The Modoc Indian Tribe of Oklahoma is hereby recognized as a tribe of Indians residing in Oklahoma and the provisions of the Act of June 26, 1936, as amended (49 Stat. 1967; 25 U.S.C. 501–509),
Organization assistance.
are hereby extended to such tribe and its members. The Secretary of the Interior shall promptly offer the said Modoc Tribe assistance to aid them in organizing under section 3 of said Act of June 26, 1936 (25 U.S.C. 503).
The provisions of the Act of August 13, 1954 (68 Stat. 718; 25 U.S.C. 564–564w), hereafter shall not apply to the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma or its members except for any right to share in the proceeds of any claim against the United States as provided in sections 6(c) and 21 of said Act, as amended (25 U.S.C. 564e and 564t).
Tribal membership.(3)
The Modoc Indian Tribe of Oklahoma shall consist of those Modoc Indians who are direct lineal descendants of those Modocs removed to Indian territory (now Oklahoma) in November 1873, and who did not return to Klamath, Oregon, pursuant to the Act of March 9, 1909 (35 Stat. 751), as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, and the descendants of such Indians who otherwise meet the membership requirements adopted by the tribe.
The Secretary of the Interior shall promptly offer the Ottawa
Ottawa Indian Tribe.
Peoria Indian Tribe.
Tribe of Oklahoma and the Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma assistance to aid them in reorganizing under section 3 of the Act of June 26, 1936 (49 Stat. 1967; 25 U.S.C. 503). which Act is re-extended to them and their members by this Act
The validity of the organization of the Wyandotte Indian Tribe
Wyandotte Indian Tribe.
of Oklahoma under section 3 of the Act of June 26, 1936 (49 Stat. 1967; 25 U.S.C. 503), and the continued application of said Act to such tribe and its members is hereby confirmed.
Sec. 3.
It is hereby declared that enactment of this Act fulfills
the requirements of the first proviso in section 2 of the Act of January 2, 1975 (88 Stat. 1920, 1921). with respect to the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma, the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma.
It is hereby declared that the organization of the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma as provided in section 3(a) of this Act shall fulfill the requirements of the second proviso in section 2 of the Act of January 2, 1975 (88 Stat. 1920, 1921).
Promptly after organization of the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma,
Publication in Federal Register.
the Secretary of the Interior shall publish a notice of such fact in the Federal Register including a statement that such organization completes fulfillment of the requirements of the provisos in section 2 of the Act of January 2, 1975 (88 Stat. 1920, 1921), and that the land described in section 1 of said Act is held in trust by the United States for the eight tribes named in said Act.
Sec. 4.
The Wyandotte, Ottawa, Peoria, and Modoc Tribes of
Oklahoma and their members shall be entitled to participate in the programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians, including, but not limited to, those under the Act of November 2, 1921 (42 Stat. 208; 25 U.S.C. 13), and for purposes of the Act of August 16, 1957 (71 Stat. 370; 42 U.S.C. 2005–2005F). The members of such tribes shall be deemed to be Indians for which hospital and medical care was being provided by or at the expense of the Public Health Service on August 16, 1957.
Approved May 15, 1978.