People of The Big River 2017

suspected waste dumpsites (St Mary ridge line is # 1 on map) Wild Goose island lookout  One of the main sampling sites we visited was at St Mary on the Blackfeet reservation. There was a ridge line that it was suspected to be dumped on and on that ridge line all of those 10 households except  one had cancer in their family. So we took samples on the rivers and run offs and took well water samples at the households and some of the businesses. They were so kind they welcomed us into their home with open arms and one even invited us to stay for dinner. During our sampling trips my mentor would tell me the oral traditions of their culture and their creation stories. I got lucky and was able to see this grass called Bear Grass that only grows at certain elevations/times of the year and only lives a couple weeks. I was also able to visit Glacier National Park for the first time it was beautiful! The glaciers there are only expected to be around for 10 years so you shoul...

 This summer I had the pleasure of working with Kimberly Paul on her research project on the Blackfeet reservation. It was the perfect student/mentor match I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor! Not only did we share the same names but also the same passion for our culture, land and our people. Another thing that connected us was something unfortunately dark; Hanford nuclear site. As you know the Hanford site is located on the ceded land the government had given the Yakama’s for hunting, gathering and fishing purposes. The Hanford contamination unfortunately leaks into the surrounding areas and some Yakama members were unknowingly being exposed to the cancerous waste. I knew that Hanford had effected Yakama and Nez Perce tribes but I never imagined it could also effect the Blackfeet nation which is located all the way in Northern Montana. In 1961 the Atomic Energy Commission approached the Blackfeet tribe about dumping radioactive waste on their land. Although they turned it...