Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe Acquires Ancestral Land with Support from Eastern Sierra Land Trust and Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Scroll through the interactive StoryMap below to learn more.

The Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe’s Return to Tupe Nobe

The Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe has successfully acquired 160 acres of ancestral land in Mono County, California, located near Lee Vining. The project, completed in collaboration with the Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT) and made possible through funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), marks a significant step toward restoring traditional stewardship and cultural heritage on land long held by the Tribe.

The land, known as Tupe Nobe, is situated within the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and is surrounded by Inyo National Forest. It lies approximately 10 miles east of Yosemite National Park and just 5 miles west of Mono Lake. This property is one of the closest private parcels to Yosemite from the east, making it a critical and strategic area for the Tribe’s conservation and cultural efforts.

A Story of Return

Through this land return project, the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe now has full ownership and management of the property, which will be used for traditional ceremonies, environmental stewardship, and educational purposes. The Tribe’s primary goal is to preserve and rejuvenate cultural heritage by conducting traditional ceremonies, ensuring that traditional knowledge and practices are passed on to future generations.

A Place of Cultural and Ecological Renewal

In addition to cultural preservation, the Tribe plans to steward the land by utilizing traditional land management practices to improve resilience to wildfire and enhance biodiversity. The Tribe will establish a Tribally Led Conservation Crew (TLCC), which will provide jobs and educational experiences for underserved young adults while restoring the land and improving habitat for both common and sensitive species. This work will include fuels reduction treatments, cultural burns, and habitat restoration. The Tribe has developed a Stewardship, Management, and Monitoring Plan to ensure the conservation values are upheld.

The property, formerly known as the “Burger’s Sierra Retreat,” includes several rustic cabins and a main lodge. These facilities will serve as a seasonal operations base for the TLCC, enabling the Tribe to manage the parcel year-round. The Tribe also plans to invite neighboring communities and visitors to experience Tupe Nobe through tribally interpreted educational camps and recreational retreats, providing a unique opportunity for public access and connecting visitors to the natural beauty of the Mono Basin.

Landback in Action

Landback projects, or the return of ancestral lands to Indigenous communities, are crucial for restoring cultural practices, revitalizing traditions, and ensuring the continuation of tribal stewardship. These efforts allow tribes to reclaim their rightful relationship with the land, using traditional ecological knowledge to promote environmental sustainability and providing space for the resurgence of ceremonies and cultural practices that strengthens communities’ ties to the land, and enhances resilience for future generations.

A Partnership Built on Trust

“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. We just need to never give up, keep focusing on the future, building our tribe, and bringing our people back home.”- Dean Tonenna, Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe

The Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe and Eastern Sierra Land Trust are deeply grateful for the support of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, whose partnership has made this project possible, ensuring the return of ancestral lands to the Tribe and fostering lasting benefits for the land and surrounding communities.