Day 10

July 16^th – Monday

Agenda for today:

o   Talked to B.J. the Director of Natural Resources

o   Got a presentation from the Fuel Management, Vernon

o   Headed to look at forestry recovery with Henry

o   Went shock fishing with Brain and Kacey

o   Visited the Trading Post to get snacks and groceries

o   Shared in the Pit House

The talk with B.J. was very educational. He shared his educational pathway, job description, and shared some advice. B.J. had plans in mind but the tribe pushed him to go into Natural Resources so they can build their Natural Resources programs. He directs, fisheries, forestry, fire, fuel management and more.  He’s an extremely important and busy person, it was a privilege to talk to him at the extent we did. I asked what the biggest problem he wanted to fix and one of the problems was fish restoration. This is a common factor that I want to look at deeper to help the tribes. Fish recovery is huge and for the river people fish was more than 50% of their diet. Now fish and t5hat diet is gone due to dams, climate change, and environmental change. B.J. made me want to help in some way.

Heading to the Fuel Management, Vernon gave a great presentation. We touched on prescribed burns and the precautions they are now have the take. He explained that the time frame to do a prescribed burn has shortened significantly. I asked him what he thought the big problem is and he explained it was the Department of Interior policies and the lack of consultation it had with the tribe. Which is a huge problem, how can someone build an elaborate policy and never talk or consult the people that will be affected by the policies. This problem is seen everywhere, Vernon just gave is another perception.

Henry took us to two places of significance; older plantation site and a younger one. His department’s job is to go and scout out areas that need to be pruned, thinned, clear cut, burned, or just cleaned up. This decreases the rate and chances of fires and their impacts. It was amazing to see the progress of the forest and how much they help. It was very hot but nice to see and learn about.

Brain and Kacey took us shock fishing. We go up stream and shock the fish in the surrounding area just enough to stun them. This was to survey ___ so we counted and measured the ones we found. We moved locations and then about 7 in our group got stung by bees and cut out shock fishing short.

We haven’t stopped a store in a while so the Trading Post was a big treat. We were all so happy and ready to buy everything. A large majority got icee and they were tasty and refreshing. I got hot Cheetos, peaches, pop tarts, and some great fried chicken. Let me tell you how happy I was; very.

We came back to camp and chilled out ate dinner and got ready to go to the pit house.

The pit house is Warrens way let us get everything out and grow closer as a group. We sat inside the pit house around the edges in a big circle. Warren says that the pit house is not of any importance but its scared to him. It was extremely important, as soon as I walked in the tears started flowing and they didn’t stop for about an hour. Our group did grow closer and we realized we needed to care for each other more than we have been. It was amazing and well needed. Im am extremely thankful for that experience.

Today was a great day full of different experiences. My favorite was the pit hpouse, I hope everyone gets to have a experience like that at least once in their life.

We’ll see what tomorrow has in store.

-       Destiny