Warren Seller: Natural Resource Manager
Sure enough, this trip has definitely been much more than just a walk in the park. Spokane tribe has delivered more knowledge than I ever imagined was possible. It truly is unbelievable the things I have learned.
Spokane Tribe was also known as Children of the Sun. They were river people because most of their time was spent fishing and gathering. The valleys along the river bank flooded which caused them to lose some of their best farm land. Along with losing land, many burials were also flooded. Luckily, many burials are constantly monitored and if needing to, re-buried and sometimes relocated.
Many things are being done for the preservation of the culture. The Spokane Tribe takes care of act exposed graves and sacred sites. Schools are educating students about tribal history and artifacts are secured and documented. Although there are many other ways to preserve culture, the most important thing is that it's being promoted and announced to those who have much more to learn.
The Department of Natural Resources also does a lot to take care of tribal land. Air quality monitors, fisheries, wildlife, water sources, BPA coordination, and many more work together to maintain the land. So much hard work is dedicated to help protect tribal land that ancestors had once built.
Some of the work that wildlife is working on are managing predators and wildlife as well as habitat improvement. Fisheries collect data and check the water quality to make sure that families are able to drink the water. Because uranium is high in Wellpinit, water resources help contain the water and mange it to have very minimal contaminants. There are special restoration projects that monitor community drinking water monthly. Streams and lakes are also being evaluated because the fish that people to eat have been determined to be contaminated as well.
Air quality protects the air with alerts and random testing. Awareness for families are broadcasted through the radio because it's the most affective way of communication. People need to know that due to the uranium mine, the air quality is poor in certain areas. Members of the community should be proactive and knowledgeable to continue to have clean air.
Hearing the problems and the causes that lead the community to have such a scare were all because of a uranium mine called Midnite Mine. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the site as well learn to hate it. Minors at the time who were working, decided one day to quit their jobs and leave. This was because the price of uranium lost value but along with leaving, they left their mess.
What came of this left the tribe no choice but to pursuit a lawsuit. With no surprise, the tribe won and now the mess that was left behind has caused many issues for the land. It could've been an inconvenience having to return but none of it compares to the stress left on the community to help protect the air, water and fish for families.
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