MIAMI, Okla. – In conjunction with “American Indian Day”  the Modoc Tribe members and employees join with the State of Oklahoma in honoring Chief  Bill Follis for his 35 years of service and 30 years as Chief by proclaiming September 25th, 2008, “Chief Bill G. Follis Day” in the State of Oklahoma.  To recognize this honor, the Tribe is hosting an award presentation ceremony and reception at the Modoc Tribal Office, located at 418 G SE, Miami, Okla., starting at 2 p.m..

 Chief Bill Follis


Chief Bill G. Follis was elected Chief of the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma in 1973 and has served in that capacity for the last 35 years.  In those years, Chief Follis has steered the tribe from a small dependant tribal entity to a fully functioning self-governing tribal nation fully recognized by the United States of America, operating numerous federal programs for the benefit of both native and non-native people.  Chief Follis was instrumental in obtaining Federal recognition for the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma in 1978 and for that he will forever be remembered as a founding father and a hero to the Modoc people in the same breath as Captain Jack and Scarfaced Charley.

Chief Follis’ has served on numerous boards and commissions for the betterment of all Native American people, most notably the Bureau of Indian Affairs Reorganization Task Force and the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission.  Chief Follis is currently into his fourth year as Board Chairman for the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission and has served five three year terms as Commissioner prior to that.

Chief Follis is a horseman, rancher and businessman born and raised in Miami, Okla. Under his leadership, the Tribe has initiated several economic development and community projects – most notably, Red Cedar Recycling, The Stables Casino, and the Buffalo Restoration Project.