Last day

Today is a travel day as usual but this one is special, it's our very last travel day and it's depressing. I love being in nature and going home to something similar kind of isn't good enough, but I need to be home to get places if you get what I mean. I love traveling and I'm not ready for school yet and I don't wanna leave, nowhere in particular but just I don't want to leave yet I've learned so much and I want to keep learning. This is overwhelming and exciting but I'm still trying to learn hands-on unlike in school with most classes. I love it here and I loved this trip all along with the people like: Joel, Alexis, Jose, Sadonia, and everyone else even if I didn't talk to them much they were a big impact on my life and I'm grateful for them. I love Jessica and I'm thankful for her and everything she has done for us all.

Day Thirteen - Our last full day

Our last full day, wow this trip went by so fast and I want to go back and do it again. We went to this place and met Landon Charlo and he talked about the most known woodpecker "Woody" and said that the pileated woodpecker is a keystone species and it was so amazing to hear him talk about this. He went to WSU, the school I dislike, he started off doing sociology, then fisheries, and he made his mind up that he wanted to do Wildlife stuff. He took us to the top of the ridge and Ms. Trease didn't want to go all the way up, but she made it and I'm proud of her. We made it to the top and it was gorgeous and I just want to live there, but I can't not yet at least. He took us up there and explained that he had tons of schooling, and he told us about this program and someone asked if we could intern which I hope to do. I'm so looking forward to coming back to the places we've been and intern and volunteer. It's so nice. After a while we went to the Julyamsh and I enjoyed it a lot, me and Joel talked about the outfits and how big and long grand entry was. I love pow wows.

Day Twelve

Today we woke up to go shower at the Wellness Center and then after we went back to have breakfast and pack lunches. We went back a little late but we still had some breakfast then we went to the Casino to meet Dave and Quanah Matheson. Quanah talked first and he was telling us what has been happening and that pollution is ruining Mother Earth and that we need to take care of her or we won't be able to survive any longer on the path the world is going. He couldn't talk for long because he had something else he needed to do, but Dave came to talk and he was telling us that he has heard someone he knows someone who told him "Global Warming isn't real, it's all God's will" so he said that if you poured sewage into your water that you drink it's all in God's will and if it was true that he would clear it up but he won't because were supposed to take care of it ourselves to do what's right.

While Dave was talking there was a T.V behind him and when he was saying that it said on the T.V "The old man remembers, listen to him." and it spoke to me. I'm not sure what it was meant to say but I'm glad it said that at the right time, because he really knew what he was talking about. It's amazing the things they learn over time, Quanah said that we need to respect the foods and take care of them because their family and they gave their lives for us to survive a lot longer. I'm glad that I got to listen to them today and that I learned a few new things.

Day Eleven

Today was another wonderful travel even though I didn't get to ride with the people I wanted to ride with, but I can't be picky when I could be walking or hitch hiking places. On our way to Coeur'd Alene is really beautiful, I got to talk to Warren before I left and I have a lot going for me right now and I haven't even started my senior year. I might change my mind on what I want to do and where I'm going to college but I know that I'm going to college and I want some experience before I do leave. I got to think a lot on the ride here and I know that this trip has opened so many doors for my life and my future, and I'm grateful for every bit of it and I'm extremely grateful for Jessica. I didn't know that this trip would be so perfect even though I don't like talking about school outside of school Joel kind of let me think about it even though he doesn't know that he did, I'm grateful for all the two people that I met and talk to on this trip. Alexis, she's so beautiful and talented and I can't believe that I got to meet her. Jose, he's so weird but to me he fits in perfectly to who I've met my whole life. I am so glad that this trip was available to them, Joel and Sadonia. I couldn't think of anything better than this right now, live in the moment and don't be so committed to anything because it restricts you from so much. Open your mind and be free.

Day Ten

Today was more beautiful than I thought it'd be, and I love that we had so much time but we needed to wake up early. We went to the Spokane Tribal Fish Hatchery and I loved it so much because you know I love fish and I enjoy it so very much. I took so many notes it's unbelievable but I love it because I learn so much and I'd rather not do anything but this because it was so much knowledge that was being passed down from them to us and I'm proud that I got to hang out with some cool people. After we learned tons of stuff from people at the fish hatchery we went somewhere but I'm not sure where and I got a volunteer part when ever I'm free to. I learned that in 1939 when the Grand Coulee Dam was built it covered up so many parts of the salmon run and it really frustrated me because I want to do something about it, but I can't right now.

We met Eddy in the picture above and two other men, Eddy was the one I talked to about the volunteer part and I could talk to him for ages on how I wouldn't be bored even if we just wanted to sit somewhere. I also learned that since they lost salmon in a way they moved from fishing to a big game reservation which made me happy because I want to go hunting but haven't before. Today was long but I loved it so so so much and after a long while today we finally went canoeing and I got to swim with Joel. I'm not sure if he knows yet but he's a big part of my life now and so are a couple other people like Jose and Alexis. I'm proud to know these people and to learn new things every day.

Day Nine

Today we went to go shock some fish and I was really happy because I love fish and the smell of fish even though it's weird but I really do. I was looking forward to doing this almost this whole trip, and I love it. We went shocking with these two people Casey and Nick after a while we got to stop for lunch. We weighed, measured, and tagged some fish that we caught in the nets we got to some more of that afterwards and I'm glad we did. When we were at the place down from the falls to have some lunch and swim then we also got to shock more but I didn't want to so I stayed and talked to Ms. Trease, Casey, and Nick so that went well. I talked to Casey and she told me that she loves what she does and that she has been here for 7 years and has a daughter, Nick told me that he has been working there for 10 years and is really impressive. I learned so much so I thought that I would ask if I could volunteer so I could come back to do what I love, but I don't remember what he told me exactly. I know that the view was so beautiful.

It's so nice to see people do things that they never knew that they would do, Nick only went to high school and started into Fisheries programs and Casey went to Eastern university and I'm really glad that my mind is opening up more being on this trip. I love these places.

Day Eight - Rest Day

Today we got to sleep in until 10 but ended up sleeping in until 11 but I appreciated what I got and I'm thankful. It was amazing because we didn't have much to do and getting some extra sleep made me happy. I'm thankful for Jessica and everything she has done for this trip and for me in general, I can't think of one time that I wanted to compliment her or make her a bit happy.

We also went to the fire tower to see the view which I loved and still love so much, I can't get over the beauty of it all.

Day Seven

Today was crazy, it was fun but crazy and I enjoyed it every single second we had. I rode with Ms. Trease, Joel, and Taylor I wish it was a bit more exciting but it only was when I was sleeping which I woke up to and Joel who took pictures of me when I was sleeping. Overall I enjoyed every second I got to spend with them and coming to Wellpinit made me so excited, I couldn't think of a better time than riding with them and spending some time on the phone with my mom. We did laundry and blogged a bit then we got back on the road then came back knowing that we would be able to come back and get some sleep even if it was only a few hours. I enjoy this trip tons and I kind of don't want it to end now, but there will always be a time for things to end.

Day Six

Today was really exciting because we got to go to these different sites and learn new things about what Winix does with her job and what plants there are, it was fun filled because I was excited to learn things and meet people even if it was just one person (which it was) and I was waiting for dinner because we were going to have their first foods which I couldn't wait for. We met Mike and he told us that they have certain spots and places they go to get the tadpoles and where they grow up and how the fish move, also which type of fish they have around and that they try to keep them around all year but sometimes they can't. We also invited him to have dinner with us, which at this point I couldn't wait to have I could almost taste it. After we were there we went to this place that they have picked huckleberries and you could smell it as we got off the van (but I thought we were hiking) and we went up to the spot while she told us that a variety of people have went through and raked the huckleberries making it harder for the plants to grow, she told us to not be afraid to tell stories of how we do it or stories of when we went picking (but I was to scared to). After we talked to her about these things then we went to the lake and swam but most of us didn't, the funny thing was when Alexis tried to jump in and I felt so bad for her and I didn't laugh so I asked if she was fine but she didn't hear me at first.

We then got back on the vans and got changed to do some yoga (so exciting no lie) and we did some intense yoga with Acosia Red Elk and I loved every bit of it even though it was hard to do and I'm not as flexible but I did it. I felt sore but with me I always feel good when I'm sore, and we went back to help get dinner prepared and sang so we could eat which reminded me of home. We ate then we checked the glass art work out to see how it was and then we hung out. I excluded myself from everyone for a personal reason and I sat with Alexis and she listened to my story as I had to really use the restroom. They put on a laser light show and then we went to shower, we all came back to sleep and hope that the next day was going to be exciting not terrible hopefully not as long.

Day Five

Today we woke up and it wasn't as cold as Bend was and that excited me but I would want to have a little bit more cold. After we all got our breakfast we made lunch and followed Winix to governant center and she presented something to us that was about the first foods and what it was about, and it was so amazing. After the meeting we went to the Umatilla Plant Nursery center and learned about these different plants and how they take care of them in different ways also what they get from people and where they go. They taught us a few things and where they plant them until they get to a bigger size to get transplanted somewhere else, either where the plants were ordered from or to a different place in the facility. All day it was hot but it was so worth it and I loved working for them that day. We cut some dogwood and moved it to grow differently or grow newer leaves, but we did that and then we all split up and the people I was with were doing cuttings; we cut these branches in a certain way, took some leaves off, put them in little buckets, took them outside to the greenhouse, and planted them in these small cones. It was hard to do but I loved it and did what I felt I could, I got a headache and I have a bad shoulder but that didn't stop me from doing anything.

After we that we went back and calmed down a bit, we got excited when we got to do the glass art that was planned for us, which was amazing to see, and we enjoyed her talking about how different but similar the art work was. We paid very close attention because not to long after she showed us what she has done and what we could do, then we all voted on what we wanted to do (but I can't remember what the one I did was called) after we chose what we would do then she split us up and most went to shower for the longest time ever while our first group did the art work. Afterwards the group got back and they did glass art work and we went to shower, I've never appreciate longer than three minutes than I did that day, but we didn't take to long and we got in the car and went back I noticed that Ms. Trease (White Swan teacher) was getting stuff out for dinner and I offered to help which I did and we started dinner and helped a little throughout and we all ended up outside which was when we ate. I enjoyed dinner very much.

After all this chaos we went to sleep and hoped the next day would be as exciting and fun filled as the day was.

Day Four

Today was a travel day but it was still as exciting. I loved seeing the view all the way to Umatilla and I couldn't think of a better time to converse with the people in the car, even if we don't really talk much. My favorite part of the drive was when we got back on the car from Biggs, Oregon because that's when Taylor thought that maybe we should talk and we talked all the way near the casino Wildhorse in town. We met Winix and I'm so overwhelmed that I got a bit down because I overwhelmed myself to fast being excited to meet someone from another tribe that I may be from. We set up and we socialized afterwards we sat by the fire pit then introduced ourselves to her which was scary because I didn't know what I would say to her exactly so I rehearsed it in my head like a million times. We figured out that there was a place we could sower so we waited until we were told we could go shower. It was all so exciting I love it in Umatilla and if I had the chance I would live here. After all the excitement by the fire pit we all went to sleep looking forward to the next day.

Day Three

Today we went to Sparks Lake and did some physical work which made me happy because I felt like I haven't done much. My crew was on dinner tonight and even then I almost ran out of jobs to do. It was amazing and I couldn't believe the view and I loved every second I got to see it, it amazed me and I'm glad I got to do some stuff today. At the end of the day we went into the shade and talked to this man named Tom Walker and he told us a lot about what was happening with the fish and the trees and why it was happening. It was hard to understand some of what he was saying but I got some of the things he mentioned. He went to Oregon State for college and studied Fisheries Biology and didn't get his permanent job until 1992 which was a long time but he has done internships and a lot of other things. When he was talking he told us that they stocked fish in the Twin Lakes but there was never any native fish to the water. Afterwards they took us to shower or swim but I couldn't swim for a personal reason and we went to shower and I was really glad that I could shower but even after I was walking around with no shoes or socks on, I'm used to it so much so I just did even though I shouldn't have. We went to South Twin Lake to shower and some of us swam but I didn't and I was fine with it. Today was amazing and we ended dinner with talking about our day once again. I love this trip and every inch of tree and water and wildlife that we see, it's all so amazing.

Day Two

We went to Lava Lands today and there was also a ton of trees but I could also see hills beyond hills. We listened to 7 people talk and I loved listening to every words that came out of their mouths. First was Jim Elliot and he was the lead ranger that came to get us at the vans when we arrived at the place and he walked us to meet the rest of the people. Second, Sarah Bothell and she worked in motorized recreation, she told us her pathway to find her work and what she did to get there. Third, Simon Freeman works as a civil engineer and he told us everything that he has done so far and he explained that they were going to do work on the building that we were at and that if we came back next year that it would be totally different. Next, Katie Chipko who works as excutive director and she told us that she was looking forward to being a teacher and that she loved teaching so she became involved in this program and since then it's been running and everything. After her was Jeff Bab, and he was telling us how his life lead him to love being in Fire Management and how it has changed his life, he is in a wheelchair and has told us that even after he was put in a wheelchair he was still able to work for fire management. Next, Ms. Kassidy Kern, she was talking and was explaining that she worked in many different areas in her job and said that we shouldn't feel committed and that we should be able to be free and do tons of things in life she works as a Public Affairs Specialist.

After they talked they took us on a bus up the hill and let us see the view of the whole place which was very beautiful and amazed me very much. I enjoyed everything that we did and I'm sure glad that they had enough time to talk to us. I loved today and everything that we did, we still did that talk at dinner thing and I really am not getting used to it.

Day One

Today I woke up late and I felt so bad because I am never late, but we made it and I'm glad that we got to come here. We made it to Heritage University and we saw that there was a few heritage students and I was kind of afraid to socialize with them. I got to ride with the White Swan high school teacher Mr. Clinton for a second time coming on this trip. I got told by Jessica that I could bring a friend or two and I took two of my friends with me and they also rode with us here but we had tons of fun.

It was very amazing to see lots and lots of trees on the drive to Bend, Oregon and I loved feeling the nice air in my face. I got to meet the Heritage students but not personally and I got to set up a small tent for our other White Swan teacher Ms. Trease, and me and my friend Sadonia got a 5 person tent but we also have air mattresses so those took up a lot of space. We arrived to camp and it is still as amazing as before. I'm glad to come on this trip and I'm very thankful that I could come on this trip. So far this trip has been really fun, I saw these birds in Biggs where we stopped and they looked so fluffy but I say that about a lot of things. On the drive to Biggs it was a bit dry but it still looked very beautiful and I enjoyed seeing the view and the mountains.

So far everything here in Bend ceases to surprise me and I'm glad, I'm looking forward to be surprised the rest of this trip. They split us up into teams and no one understands why and not even me, we have yet to figure it all out and be amazed at what we do. Dinner tonight someone stood up and said we should practice talking in front of each other and now it's a things were going to do from here on. I'm scared to speak in front of people but I talked and now it's over and done with, hopefully I get used to it.