People of the Big River Field Class 2026
pictures courtesy of Judy Bergevin
Students from Heritage University are traveling across eastern Washington and central Oregon on a 14-day academic field experience. The course, People of the Big River connects the scholars with tribal elders, scientists, and natural resource managers for a unique study that blends Western science with traditional ecosystem knowledge.
This project, in partnership with the Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, and Heritage University’s Center for Indigenous Health, Culture & the Environment, is taking students to the following land sites:
- Yakama Nation (WA)
- Spokane Tribe of Indians (WA)
- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (OR)
- Deschutes National Forest (OR)
People of the Big River is made possible by the generous support of Battelle and private donors.
Follow these participants and their work as they blog about their experiences and observations:
Lovey Vanpelt:
Gavin Kessler:
Dallas Wheeler:
Judy Bergevin:
Phabian George:
Sergio Mejia: