Jessica Mullin Candidate for Council Member

rawlingsj002@gmail.com

918.418.9756

Waklisi Modokni Maklaks! My name is Jessica Mullin and I am running for the Modoc Nation elected Council Member position. I am a descendant of Modoc Warrior and bow maker, Sam Ball. My mother, Susan Burkybile, enrolled me as a Modoc citizen over 20 years ago. The rediscovery of my Modoc heritage and connection to our Tribe and members has forever changed and challenged me, professionally and personally.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and hold a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver where I focused on addressing trauma. After graduation I returned to Miami, OK and began working for Modoc Nation in 2017 as the Tribal Registrar and Director of Culture and Education. In the 2 years I was in this position, I engaged with Modoc members and heard their desire to feel culturally connected. To bring opportunities for our members to connect with each other and their culture, I initiated several cultural programs, including the Family Gathering, Modoc Youth Camp, Culture Club, language classes, and the Modoc Newsletter.

Historic and Cultural Preservation is a primary initiative that I will continue to support and seek opportunities to move forward with, including the development of a museum, culture/language classes, and aid to help members visit our ancestral territory. For our culture to survive and thrive, it will be critical for our youngest members to grow up with a connection to their Modoc heritage.

In my current role as Director of Behavioral Health, I have started the Modoc’s youth and adult outpatient mental health treatment programs. Through this process over 40 employment opportunities have been created. These programs serve 300+ individuals and their families each year, in addition to generating income to be sustainable for years to come. I have also written, co-written and implemented 17 federal grant projects to meet the needs of our community and demand for providing these services at little to no cost to our patients.

Tribal member and community social, emotional, and physical wellness will continue to be an initiative that I want to expand in order to promote overall healing and wellness for our people, especially enhancing our tribal benefits and service availability for individuals who are special needs, disabled, elder, and those residing outside of the Oklahoma service area.

My hope for the Modoc Nation is to bring unity to our people across the nation, to preserve and instill our culture, to have transparency between leadership and members, to employ tribal members, to operate reputable and sustainable businesses, and to ensure all decisions are rooted in Modoc Values: Culture, Integrity, Respect, Hard Work, and Family.

As your Council Member, I promise to hear your feedback, suggestions, concerns and represent what is in the best interest of our members and future generations. It would be a great honor and privilege to represent you on the Modoc Elected Council. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments you may have. Sep kecca!