Wayne Burke 1974-2012

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal chair Wayne Burke died young last week.

“In addition to his accomplishments as a Marine, a family man, and a tribal leader, Wayne was a talented artist,” said Patricia Atkinson of the Nevada Arts Council. “One of his mixed media pieces was featured in the NAC’s traveling exhibition ‘What Continues the Dream: Contemporary Arts and Crafts in the Powwow Tradition.’ This is a great loss to his family, the tribe, the state, and the Nevada artistic community.”

Burke was the first Native American member of the Nevada Tourism Commission. “Tourism is critically important to the economy of Nevada and Pyramid Lake,” he said at the time of his appointment.

The Tribe had recently received an award for economic development planning. Burke said the Tribe’s plan represented “embracing a community vision.”

Governor Brian Sandoval, who appointed him to the commission, issued a statement: “Chairman Burke was a vocal advocate for Pyramid Lake and tribal issues, and I admired his leadership. Wayne Burke valiantly served his country in the Marine Corps and I was proud to call him a friend.”

In testimony in May before a U.S. Senate committee, Burke said in part, “Cultural traditions and beliefs are a significant part in the manner in which tribes and Native people prepare, sustain, heal, and survive war. These cultural beliefs and ways of life need to be recognized and used to offer and provide more services and resources to Native veterans. Per population, more Native veterans serve … than any other ethnic group.”