This year, 2010, the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society will NOT be hosting an Environmental Awareness Summer Youth Practicum. The current plans are to continue the SYP in 2011, and for this year, the staff will work on plannig and taking care of legal responsibilities, curriculum, and fundraising.

History

Since 1991, the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society Summer Youth Practicum has used Mother Nature as its teacher. It has taught more than 500 Native American youth about today?s issues facing not only Native American communities but environmental concerns faced by Mother Earth.

Through a network of Tribal elders, Native American teachers, Native American natural resource professionals, and members of the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society, students learn the importance of educating "our own people"; experiencing a culturally relevant environmental education; and promoting leadership.

Philosophy

In its 15 years as a summer environmental education program, the program philosophy centers on: the future development of tribal leaders; producing knowledgeable and educated professionals; utilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge; supporting Tribal sovereignty; supporting community-based education; and encouraging/supporting progress toward higher education.

Within the program's philosophy, a teaching model called the 5R's is applied throughout the program from beginning until the end. And ultimately beyond student's experience in the program to be applied in their communities, tribes, and into their adult lives as Native American professionals. The 5R's are: RESPECT ?Students gain respect for themselves; their communities and culture, including academics and professionalism; RELATION ? Through modeling traditional clan/kinship systems, students build family and establish relationship to the natural world; RESPONSIBILITY ? Students become aware of their personal and cultural responsibilities, in addition to those of the academic and professional arenas; REASON ? Students? intellect/reasoning is encouraged in order to nurture their understanding of individual power and sense of place; AND RECIPROCITY ? Students are encouraged to understand this important process as life is a gift and a value to find purpose to enhance their lives and others? in their environment and respectfully and responsibly develop relations that may save their lives.

Through a multitude of funding sources in the program?s 15-year history, operation occurs significantly on Native American Fish & Wildlife Society funds of at least one-third yearly. The other two-thirds include funds from other entities. This includes various Government agencies, Tribal funding, Non-profit In-Kind, Tribal In-Kind, and Tribal Colleges.

Personal Impact

Martin Wind, Creek, Oklahoma. - ?People must realize what it means to be Native. That?s the only way to preserve our Native society. This practicum helped to do just that, through giving participants a major insight about nature and spiritual aspects of our cultural society.?

Verner Wilson, Yupik, Alaska ? ?The 5R?s reinforced the teachings of my Yupik elders.?

Kevin Sockbeson, Penobscot ? ?The practicum gave me confidence in myself.?

David Carufel, Yankton/Santee/Ojibwe ? ?I liked the lessons, customs and knowledge that I learned from my elders.?

Michaela Gorospe, Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico ? ?Being surrounded by my future peers is a wonderful opportunity that I never could have imagined for myself and I am extremely grateful that I was able to do so here.?

Curtis Arkeketa, Otoe-Missouria/Pawnee, Oklahoma ? ?At this camp, I was given the chance to get in touch with my inner self. With the help of many, I set goals to achieve. Without this experience, I do not know where my life would have taken me. I learned many things but the greatest lesson I?ve learned was the lesson of RESPECT.?

Instructor Comment

Adrian Miller, Sr., Certified Teacher, Menominee Tribe, Wisconsin

?As a purveyor of knowledge, I could see the phenomenal effect the program has had on the students. It is a dynamic, multifaceted process that makes a difference in the lives of Native American students by mentoring, and modeling the most effective, interdependent leadership behavior in all of its activities.?