Tuesday, July 30, 2013

On the tenth day...

July 24th, 2013

It is now day 10, I can't believe it! This trip is going by way too fast. We got an early start today because we have a lot planned with the Spokane-ians. Spokane reservation employees, Billy Joe: Natural Resource director, Warren Sayler: Coordinator, John Matt: Heritage Coordinator, Bill Matt: tribal elder, Brain Crossley: project coordinator, Brent Nicholas: Program manager, Candace Bennett: wild life biologist. They spoke about their reservation. It is only 157,000 acres, which is the smallest that we have visited so far. They explained the impacts that the dams have had on their water systems. They have actually not had any salmon in their reservation waters in years! I found this to be very upsetting especially coming from a Tribe that has plenty. After our talk about water restoration projects and other important issues.The Spokane-ians took us out in the field to set up track plates with Candace Bennett who is a Wild Life Biologist. She spoke to us about setting up track plates to detect carnivores. She taught us how to set up the plates and we helped camouflage it with tree limbs, dried grass and leafs. After our lunch break w got the wonderful opportunity to Shock fish! We did this to collect them for sampling. I volunteered to be a netter (caught zapped fish in my net). We got a little under 10 fish, but overall it was such a great experience and almost had me change my major. (I want to be a teacher) haha

In the evening we spent time listening to the tribe and Havier sang a beautiful song while we watching the sunset on Lake Roosevelt. 

I am very grateful that Jessica Black, and The Spokane Tribe gave us the opportunity to do some hands on type work!!!






 

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