“That’s an apt metaphor for Harney County, because it’s so distant from everywhere else,” Robbins said. “No one in the federal government is, in my view, overreaching in Harney County. The federal government has been a positive and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a good example of that.”

Kimberly Jensen, a professor of history at Western Oregon University who was on hand for the talk, said it was crucial that people consider historical context on complex issues such as land ownership and rights.

“Until we have the historical context, we can’t make those crucial decisions that we need to make as citizens,” she said. “And I think it’s terrific that we had such a huge audience here because it shows that a lot of people are interested in understanding the roots of this controversy.”

Robbins received applause throughout his presentation, but there were some in the audience who called into question his understanding of federal laws and the positions of those who occupied the refuge. Robbins, whose talk is based on an article he's set to publish in the Oregon Historical Quarterly later this year, said he takes care to research every element of his findings.