People of the Big River

People of the Big River Field Class 2019

Students from Heritage University, Yakama Nation Tribal School, and White Swan High School in the Mt. Adams High School District 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 and Environment, is taking students to the following land sites:

• Yakama Nation (WA)
• Deschutes National Forest (OR)
• The Klamath Tribes (OR)
• Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (OR)

Follow these students and their work as they blog about their experiences and observations:

Heritage University Students

• Briseida Carbajal-Prudencio
• Samuel Cuevas-Carillo
• Jazmin Mayra Guerra
• Lucia Hall Lopez
• Alex Martinez
• Xavier Martinez
• Orlando Pelcastre
• Eric Philipp-Petrick
• Maria Guadalupe Rivera
• Noah Matthew Sampson
• Sloane Mae Seelatsee
• Juan Valladares

White Swan High School (Mt. Adams School District) Students

• Amelia Andy
• Priscilla Williams

Yakama Nation Tribal School Students

• Graysen Mesplie
• Alexa Sampson-John
• Jenadi Wheeler

Faculty and Teachers

• Monet Becenti – Heritage University
• Jessica Black – Heritage University
• Brandon Brown – Heritage University
• Stacie Mesplie – Yakama Nation Tribal School
• David Bravo – Fresno, CA