sydcolombe@hotmail.com
605.208.1745
April 2, 2022
Greetings Modoc citizens,
I wanted to take the time to provide some insight on why I declared my candidacy for Chief of the Modoc Nation.
Originally, I was concerned we would not have candidates for this position, and I wanted to ensure we, the Modoc citizens, had options: options that gave us a choice, options that gave us a chance for change, options for a new perspective, and ultimately an option to be involved with our great nation.
The decision to run for Chief was a decision that was deep rooted in my belief system. I know I am the best candidate. I grew up on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. My father was President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe from 2003-2005 and, prior to that, he served many terms as a Councilman. I know the dedication, to your people, that it takes to be this person. This is a job that is not for the “weak of heart.” There is so much that goes into this title. A Chief is not a figure head, but a protector of their Nation, of their people, of their history and the future generations. I was raised hearing that we are a people of “Seven generations.” Seven generations is the philosophy that decisions and actions we make today affect seven generations into the future. This is a heavy burden; this is a great honor.
Next, I wanted to share with you how I got here today. I have been working within Indian country for 30 years. I have worked with, alongside and for hundreds of tribal leaders during this time. In the early days of Indian Gaming, I worked for my father’s company with Tribes to develop Gaming facilities. This took me all over the country and ultimately led me to Chiloquin, Oregon. I moved to Chiloquin to work with the Klamath Tribes (Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin) for the development of a Gaming facility. To date, I maintain friendships with many individuals in this area and I want to express, we the Modoc Nation, need to begin to rebuild our relationship with the Klamath Tribes. During the past few years, we have taken many adverse positions, against our own people of that area. We, the Modoc Nation, are working to establish a land base and presence in our homelands, but to do so, we must first rebuild our relationship with our relatives, the Klamath Tribes. I am prepared to take steps to build on this and to unify us. To understand our culture, our history – we must be aligned with our relatives in Oregon.
From the lava lands of southern Oregon, I moved around, landed in Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and ultimately, I made the decision to move to Ottawa County Oklahoma. During this time, I worked for many amazing tribal organizations such as: Nevada Indian Environmental Coalition, the National Indian Gaming Association, National Center for American Indian Economic Development, Great Plains Indian Gaming Association, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, Oklahoma Tribal Regulations Association various tribal law/lobbying firms and finally a local tribe of northeast Oklahoma. In each of these positions I was interacting with Tribes and their tribal leaders from coast to coast and border to border.
My decision to relocate my family to Ottawa County, Oklahoma was because I wanted to be close to the Modoc Nation. I wanted to meet people from my little, tiny nation. Little did I know how hard this would be as we were a disjointed tribe with minimal interaction and no real ability to network. I faced struggles and growth during this time, and it ignited a passion in me to be a part of the leadership of our Nation.
Finally, I know I have the experience to lead us. My previous work has provided me insight, experience, and knowledge on all aspects of a tribal Nation. I truly bring 30 years of experience, as well as I have local interaction and knowledge of the issues within our area and the State of Oklahoma.
I quite possibly come from the smallest family in the Modoc Nation, but I bring the most experience to the table. I will work tirelessly to change our Nation. I will work tirelessly to unite our Nation. I will work tirelessly to grow our Nation.
I won’t make any campaign promises, but I will guarantee to dig in and determine where we are at as a Nation. Once a baseline has been established, I will work to expand programs we have. Develop more programs, grow our grant funding and increase our enterprise portfolio – all to benefit the Modoc citizens of today and the generations to come.
I am more than happy to talk with anyone that has questions or wants to get to know me. I can be reached by any of these options: cell (605) 208-1745; email (sydcolombe@hotmail.com) or via facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syd.colombe.
I am committed to working to build a better nation. I humbly ask for your vote on May 7th.
March 15, 2022
Greetings fellow Modoc citizens and relatives, my name is Syd Colombe, descendant of Shacknasty Jim. I currently reside in Northeast Oklahoma in the little town of Fairland. I am the daughter of Viola James Colombe (Modoc) and the late Charlie Colombe (Rosebud Sioux). I have two amazing children, Shane (23) and Joely (12).
It would be my honor to serve as Chief of the Modoc Nation and I am humbly asking for your vote. I am honest, hardworking, and I have more than 30 years of experience working with tribes at every level. I understand tribes: politics, Constitutions, Ordinances, Policies and Sovereignty. The Constitution of the Modoc Nation is what establishes what we can do when we can do it and how we do it. Within this Constitution there are Ordinances that further define actions. It is imperative that we, the Modoc citizens, elect individuals that understand these documents and will uphold them. I am that type of individual.
A tribal Nation is Sovereign, and we need a leader with knowledge and experience of how business works within it. I am local to this area, and I know the politics and the dynamics. I am familiar with the structure of our local community, the other leaders within it, and the issues relative to our community. In addition, I have worked on a regional and national level.
I have the future of our children’s children in my vision. I bring the whole package to the table, if I was elected Chief. I have spent a lifetime gaining this knowledge and living it. It is important what we do now, but the future is what we leave to our children. Our ancestors, who rode in cattle cars to Kansas endured so we would have a future. We must vote for the future. We must vote for the best candidate – the one with the knowledge, passion, love and understanding of being Modoc. I am your candidate. I am a candidate for the people, and I have lived through the history of this great nation. I understand our hardships, and I am here to work for our future.
My future vision for the Modoc Nation includes a government that has accountability, transparency, and a door open for the citizens. This vision includes maximizing federal government funding to develop programs while, at the same time, optimizing enterprises and their funds to build a better tomorrow for our citizens of today and the citizens to come. The Modoc Nation of tomorrow, that I will lead, will be stronger, transparent, and more unified. This Modoc Nation will be for the people and with the people.
In closing, we need leadership that is experienced and knowledgeable about all things “tribal.” If I am elected, I will bring change: transparency and accountability. I will work tirelessly with and for our Modoc people. I am, and will remain, transparent at all times. A vote for Syd Colombe will bring change and my door will always be open.
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