From the archives. Contributor: Spence Hutchins, Curator of the Fulton Hills Historical Society.
Statement from the Nohoda Odsada Tribal Council
March 19, 2022
The Nohoda Odsada Tribal Council is deeply disheartened by the reckless and harmful accusations published in the recent article by Melandre Combs in The Fulton County Advisor. The baseless suggestion that the Nohoda Odsada or Yak Tak Nuhk peoples could be connected to the violent actions of the Dun Maylock is not only unfounded but perpetuates dangerous stereotypes and fosters unnecessary division in our community.
Let us be clear: the Dun Maylock and their violent legacy have no ties to the Nohoda Odsada or Yak Tak Nuhk peoples. Our history is one of resilience, respect for the land, and coexistence. To associate our sacred traditions with acts of violence or chaos is a gross misrepresentation of who we are and what we stand for.
The “mysteries” cited in Ms. Combs’ article have reasonable explanations, as provided by experts in their respective fields. Attempting to connect these natural occurrences to our communities only serves to sensationalize tragedy and detract from constructive conversations about the real issues facing Fulton County.
Furthermore, we urge all residents of Fulton County to approach local lore and history with care and responsibility. Misrepresenting or distorting our cultural practices not only undermines our heritage but sows mistrust in a county that should be united, not divided, by its rich and complex history.
We welcome respectful dialogue and are always willing to share the truth about our culture with those who approach it with genuine curiosity and respect. However, we cannot stand by as our people are scapegoated for events we had no part in.
We call upon The Fulton County Advisor to retract its inflammatory statements and commit to fact-based reporting in the future.
Sincerely,
Chairperson Adannasi Nuyupnoh
Nohoda Odsada Tribal Council
ARCHIVIST’S NOTE: Melandre Combs never responded nor retracted her statements.