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- By Chez Oxendine
- Real Estate
The Mono Lake Kootzaduka'a Tribe has acquired 160 acres of ancestral land in a landmark purchase that advances the tribe's decades-long quest for federal recognition.
The purchase was completed in partnership with the Eastern Sierra Land Trust and funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Tribal leaders say the acquisition marks a step toward restoring stewardship and cultural heritage on land historically connected to the tribe, according to a tribal press release.
The property, known as “Tupe Nobe” or “Rock House,” is located within the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and is surrounded by Inyo National Forest. It sits about 10 miles east of Yosemite National Park and 5 miles west of Mono Lake.
“With the right partnerships and the plan of how we envision future acquisitions or whatever our projects may be, [Tupe Nobe] shows that it is possible,” said Dean Tonenna, vice president of the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe, in a statement. “We just need to never give up, keep focusing on the future, building our tribe, and bringing our people back home.”
In an interactive storymap chronicling the project, Eastern Sierra Land Trust said conserving Tupe Nobe for the tribe was important for preserving both the land and the Mono Lake Kootzaduka'a's culture.
“Without this land base, the risk of losing traditional experiences and knowledge was imminent," former Eastern Sierra Land Trust Executive Director Kay Ogden said. "Tupe Nobe will now be a sanctuary for revitalizing and passing on the tribe’s heritage and traditional ecological stewardship to future generations.”
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy provided more than $2 million in funding for the project, according to conservancy records.
It's one of the first such projects directly funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, per a statement provided to the Eastern Sierra Land Trust. With the acquisition, the tribe now holds full ownership and management of the land. Plans call for using the property for traditional ceremonies, environmental stewardship and educational programs aimed at passing traditional knowledge to future generations. The acquisition also establishes a landbase for the tribe — a crucial step in applying for federal recognition, which the tribe does not possess.
The tribe will also implement traditional land management practices to reduce wildfire risk and support biodiversity. A tribally led conservation crew will be established to provide jobs and training for underserved young adults while conducting fuels reduction, cultural burns and habitat restoration. A stewardship and monitoring plan will guide long-term management.
Formerly known as Burger’s Sierra Retreat, the property includes several rustic cabins and a main lodge. These facilities will serve as a seasonal base for the conservation crew and support year-round management. The tribe also plans to host educational camps and recreational retreats to provide public access and connect visitors to the Mono Basin.
“We [the Kootzaduka’a Tribe] have been patient for almost 200 years,” Tonenna said. “We haven't given up. This is a real boost in our sense of accomplishments and what we can do on the ground.”
