Volume 4, No. 1, Winter 2013
Culture Classes -2 Cobell Settlement -3 Nutrition and Health Education -3 Duck Valley Tribe Meets with NV & ID USDA Agencies -4 New Curriculum -5 Workshop Updates -6 Scholarship Opportunities -7
Tule duck decoy www.unce.unr.edu
CULTURE CLASSES HELD AT PYRAMID LAKE By Kathy Frazier, The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension/4-H/EYSC Pyramid Lake office is partnering with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s Parks & Recreation Department in sponsoring culture classes for the youth and community on the reservation. The Paiute tradition and culture is slowly dying out in our Native youth and we are making a concerted effort to keep this from happening. We are planning to have classes in Native storytelling, hand games (stick games), tule duck decoy making, hide tanning, flute making, beading, willow work, hand drum making, flint making, shawl making, and tribal dancing.
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There are three communities on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation and we are hoping to hold classes in each of the communities of Nixon, Sutcliffe, and Wadsworth. There have been classes held so far in Wadsworth and Nixon with attendance of 35+ people. We would like to thank the presenters for their time and effort in making this a success: Ralph Burns, Native storytelling; Raymond Allen, tule duck making; Vinton and Lesley Hawley, hand games; and Mikki Moore, Paiute games. I would like to thank Nathan Dunn, Pyramid Lake Parks & Recreation Department Coordinator for his efforts in scheduling these classes.
, Tule Raymond Allen ing duck decoy mak
Ralph Burns, Native story telling
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Vinton & Leslie Hawley, Handgames
“3.4 billion Cobell Settlement Cleared for Implementation” The $3.4 billion Cobell Settlement became final Friday, November 24, following action by the Supreme Court and expiration of the appeal period. The Settlement is the result of a class-action lawsuit first filed in 1996 by Elouise Cobell, Blackfeet, of Montana. The lawsuit sought an accounting of trust accounts held on behalf of 500,000 Indian trust beneficiaries. The Individual Indian Money accounts have been in existence for over 100 years and the subject of many claims of mismanagement and fraud. The Settlement was initially
approved by Congress on November 30, 2010 and again by the district court on August 4, 2011 though it had since been held up by appeals. As part of the historic Settlement, $1.5 billion will be distributed to class members for asset management claims and $1.9 billion will be allocated to the Cobell Land Consolidation Program to reduce the number of undivided interests in Indian trust land titles. Class members of the lawsuit could receive their first payments as early as Christmas. According to the
Our New Logo!
Department of the Interior, an updated plan to implement the Cobell Land Consolidation Program will be released by the end of the year. For more information on classaction payments, contact GCG, Inc. at 1-800-961-6109 or via email at info@ indiantrust.com or visit the website www. indiantrust.com. For more information on the Cobell Land Consolidation Program visit www.doi.gov/cobell.
The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension NICE team has a new logo! Artist Ron Oden designed the new logo which represents all of the Nevada tribes. Be on the lookout for our new graphics on all future UNCE Native Programs materials.
“Nutrition and Health Education for Newe and Numa” Beyond the Hub – Nutrition and Health Education for Newe and Numa Populations Outside the Foodshed is a pilot education project proposed by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) to establish social capacity and develop action plans to address nutrition and health issues on nine American Indian Reservations in rural Nevada. These Newe (Shoshone) and Numa (Paiute) communities lie beyond, or at the fringe, of regional food hubs and at the extreme limits of existing foodsheds. Of all ethnic groups, American Indians are at the greatest risk for obesity
and attendant development of diabetes and related chronic diseases. American Indians of all ages and both sexes have a high prevalence of obesity. The high incidence of diabetes mellitus in this population demonstrates the impact of the prevalence of obesity. The diabetes rate is 3 times higher for American Indians compared with non-Hispanic whites. USDA has established a crossagency “Strike Force” initiative to address critical needs in persistent poverty areas such as health and nutritional issues. Nevada has been designated as a Strike Force state and rural American Indian
communities have been established as primary recipients of cross-agency action. In order to fully utilize the “outside-in” provision of services by USDA agencies there is a need to inform and guide agency efforts through an “inside – out” educational and organizational efforts involving Newe and Numa stakeholders. This project would provide the organization, planning, and buy-in to realize the benefits of Strike Force and other existing health and nutrition resources.
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“Tribal Council, Duck Valley Soil Conservation District, & Local Producers meet with NV & ID USDA Agencies” Over
the course of several decades The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USDA Programs involving Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Services, and Rural Development in both the states of Nevada & Idaho, and RC & D of Southwest Idaho. The most recently signed MOU by all parties occurred on or around April 13, 2011. In addition the Business Council has approved Tribal Resolution No. 2013SPR-020 identifying the MOU involving all USDA Agencies defining their roles & responsibilities to the Tribes. As per the Outreach work provided through the University of NV Cooperative Extension & the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Programs, and with the assistance of our Tribes Water Resources Committee members Marvin Cota and Robert Bear, I’ve recently invited members of the NV State & ID State NRCS Agencies to a round table discussion held in the backroom of the HDC on November 26, 2012. NRCS Nevada Agency members included: Gary Roeder, State office Reno; Vinh Hoang, State Engineer, Reno; Carmella Irwin, Assistant State Engineer, Reno; Nicole Pennington, Engineer in training, Winnemucca; Nicole Bolton, Engineer in training, Ely; Jaime Jasmine, Elko District Conservationist; Debra Brackley, Area Conservationist; Chuck Petersen, Range Technician, Elko. NRCS Idaho Agency included: Rob Sampson, State Conservationist (acting); Clint Evans, Assistant State Conservationist. SPT Business Council included Terry Gibson, Chairman; Dennis Smith, Vice Chairman; James Rudy Blossom, council
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member & Chairman of the Duck Valley Soil & Water Conservation District; Council members Cristi Walker, Donna Jackson, and Buster Gibson. Also in attendance were Tribal members Albert Jones, Elizabeth Bendle, and Yvonne Powers, Sho-Pai News. After welcoming all parties to the table by Chairman Gibson there was much to discuss during the course over the next 3 ½ hours with topics including: MOU/ MOA concerns; NRCS Budget for Nevada State, individual counties, and tribes; New Proposed Farm Bill; Engineer availability vs. Technicians; Field Surveys; Ranking qualifications; irrigation pipeline & land leveling concerns; Duck Valley Irrigation Project & how NRCS would tie into the rehabilitation process; and the Tribal Fence Management Program. As I facilitated the dialogue session through each topic many questions, comments, and concerns were raised producing many promising solutions or at the very least, visions that would definitely benefit our Tribes. This summary outlines the important points: 1) If one State agency hasn’t the resources to fulfill its obligatory services to the Tribes, Then the other can be called upon as per the MOU. 2) If the Tribes don’t have a representative on either NRCS State Committee, all the Tribes need to do is forward names designating a member to each State seat thereby ensuring a tribal voice during the NV State Technical Advisory meetings. 3) Rob Sampson, Idaho NRCS State Conservationist stated that the only
portion of the current MOU that may need amending is that portion identifying the Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Coordinator Services, citing this position no longer exists Nationally. 4) The new 2012 Farm Bill is still going through the channels of congress but will eventually open a comment period where Tribes will have opportunity to address their concerns and/or suggest changes. 5) There is currently no Engineer in the Elko District office to serve Duck Valley, however, a Engineer Technician is scheduled to start in the Elko office in January. In addition there are Engineers in the Ely and Winnemucca field offices that can be available to assist as well as the State engineer’s office in Reno. 6) It is currently spelled out in the MOU that whenever NRCS NV needs assistance they can call on NRCS ID, Tribes should be aware of this to ensure coverage. 7) Irrigation pipeline and land leveling concerns were also addressed and the Engineers will make every effort to alleviate any future problems or concerns that may arise. It was suggested trainings should be made available for applicants wanting to implement Conservation land practices since many times there is confusion as to what entails field surveys, design specifications, practice implementations, etc. 8) Suggestion was made to hire Tribal members who have construction experience to install irrigation pipeline, citing the extreme high prices local producers currently pay to hire outside contractors. 9) Another suggestion was for NRCS to provide training for tribal members to become Technical Service Providers (TSP) since NRCS staff are at many times (continued on page 8)
New Curriculum Available!
Now available at the Mineral County Cooperative Extension Office.
This USDA, Office of Advocacy and Outreach American Indian Farmer and Rancher Outreach and Assistance Improvement Project targets American Indian farmers and ranchers, who are designated as socially disadvantaged due to the impacts of historical federal Indian policies, significant disparities in education income levels, and issues that accompany geographic isolation and Indian land tenure designations. The American Indian agricultural industries in the targeted six-state region (Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, North Dakota and South Dakota) are important to the economic sustainability of rural communities on reservation. According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture (2007), approximately 8,515,189 acres of land in farms are operated by American Indian farmers and ranchers in the six-state region. Historically, American Indians have been involved in agriculture in some form or fashion The six-state study area that comprises American Indians in the Great Basin, Columbia Plateau and Northern Plains indicates they were traditionally hunters and gatherers, primarily involved
in limited agriculture, until the pressures of non-Indian settlement interfered with the traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. These social pressures led to several pieces of federal legislation that directly impact agricultural operations on reservations today. While American Indian farm and ranch operations contribute significantly to the economic base of rural reservations, opportunities exist to increase the profitability and sustainability of agricultural operations and community quality of life. USDA programs can be used to sustain rural reservation communities and grow reservation economies. The 2010 Farm Bill provisions offer considerable opportunities for American Indian tribes and individual farmers and ranchers to participate in USDA assistance programs. On most American Indian reservations, however, these programs are under-utilized. Reaching this socially disadvantaged American Indian population can be difficult. This aggressive community-based research addresses why these programs are under-utilized in a six-state area of the Western United States.
Secondary data collection identifies which American Indian farmers and ranchers are utilizing the different programs within the USDA, compared to the number of American Indian farmers and ranchers in the six-state area. Challenges that Indian producers face on reservations sustaining agricultural enterprises and utilization of USDA programs are identified; specifically Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Rural Development programs. Recommendations are made to improve outreach efforts to American Indians by creating outreach opportunities, communication systems, trust-building and establishing a written outreach plan. For more information or to obtain a copy of this curriculum contact Staci Emm at emms@unce.unr.edu or call her at (775)945-3444. You can also pick one up at the Mineral County Cooperative Extension located at: 314 5th Street Hawthorne, NV 89415
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On February 7-8, 2013 Indian Landowners, Tribal Leaders and Program Administrators attended the workshop in Reno, NV.
Understanding American Indian Land Tenure and AIPRA Workshop
Below: Presenters Staci Emm (UNCE), Heidi Drobnick (Attorney at Law), Terry Janis (ILTF), Margie Hutchinson (DoI) and Raylene Swan (DoI). Left: Heidi A. Drobnick, Attorney at Law, Swanson Drobnick & Tousey P.C., Minnesota. Right: Terry Janis, Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Program Director, Minnesota.
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SAIGE Jorgensen Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 5
The Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) is now accepting applications for the Carol Jorgensen Scholarship for Environmental Stewardship. This scholarship provides $1,000 to a full time student pursuing an undergraduate degree in an environmental stewardship discipline, including environmental studies, natural resource management, the natural sciences, public administration, public policy, and related disciplines. Deadline: March 5 Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) established this award to honor the memory and legacy of Carol Jorgensen whose service to her family, community, country, and Mother Earth was an inspiration
for all. Carol was Tlingit from the Yandestake Village in southeast Alaska and was part of the Eagle/ Killer Whale Fin House of Klukwan. She served many years in public service, most recently as Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s American Indian Environmental Office. She had a deep connection to our shared Earth and was a passionate advocate for protecting the environment and human health in American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. SAIGE encourages native students to apply for this scholarship. You do not have to be a SAIGE member to apply. Go to http://saige.org/memberresources/scholarships/ for more information, eligibility criteria and instructions.
American Youth Leadership Program with Samoa
W
yoming 4-H had an international program opportunity the last two years to Mongolia where youth from the western United States were selected to visit. There will be a similar opportunity the next couple of years going to American Samoa. Local Nevada youth have the opportunity to apply for this great chance to visit another culture. Applications are due April 1, 2013. 18 youth and 2 adult participants will be selected along with 4 alternates (2 males and 2 females). There is a pre-trip orientation July or August 2013 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie Wyoming. The exchange trip will be December 14, 2013 – January 4, 2014 (approximately).
Youth participants must be at least 15 years old and not older than 17 years old by the trip departure date and must have at least one semester of high school left following the trip. All participants must be U.S. citizens and reside in one of the 13 states in our western region (which includes Nevada). There is no program fee and out of pocket expenses will be minimal. For more information: Index URL- http://www.uwyo. edu/4-h/youth/travel/samoa/index. html Flyer URL- http://www.uwyo. edu/4-h/youth/travel/samoa/2013samoa-brochure.pdf Applications URL- http://www.uwyo. edu/4-h/youth/travel/samoa/samoaapplications.html
Nevada Risk Management Education:
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS! American Indian Tax Issues Workshops will be presented statewide in February.
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“Tribal Council, Duck Valley Soil Conservation District, & Local Producers meet with NV & ID USDA Agencies� (continued from Page 4) unavailable due to the large area they service. 10) Irrigation service ditches maintained by the Tribes continues to be an ongoing issue as do stock water concerns. Tribal Policies need to be in place in order for NRCS to assist tribes with certain conservation practices. 11) It was noted by NRCS that Local Working Groups (LWG) can address many changes needing to take place. A LWG has already been started by the Duck Valley Soil & Water Conservation District. 12) Other concerns were lack of irrigation and/or stock water availability
throughout each year due to lack of maintenance of the overall delivery system. 13) Water Settlement funds to hire a Water Resources Director/Engineer is not yet accessible, so many in attendance stressed the need for the Tribal Council to find available funds to get this position filled. Tribes can pull resources with NRCS to make the Water Settlement funds stretch further. 14) Tribal Fence Management Program through NRCS has funding available for fencing land tracts with the caveat that the land in question identifies resource concerns.
As the meeting wrapped up most people in attendance walked away with a feeling that much had been accomplished, but all felt so much more needs to be done and follow up meetings with NRCS as well as other USDA Programs need to be continuous & on-going. It is the hopes of this writer that USDA Agencies including NRCS will continue their efforts to assist our Tribes with land & water conservation practices into perpetuity. Respectfully submitted by, Reggie Premo, UNCE/FRTEP Tribal Outreach.
www.facebook.com/NativeProgramsUNCE
Randy Emm
Frank Flavin
Reggie Premo
Randy is the Indian Reservation Program Coordinator at UNCE. His programming focuses on providing farmers and ranchers with information and resources designed to improve organization and operation of tribal lands.
As the Director for the Western Area, Frank oversees four county offices in Northern Nevada. He is co-director of the Nevada Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP).
Reggie is the program facilitator for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program funded by CSREES to assist Native American farmers and ranchers to access the various USDA program offerings.
Walker River
Reno
Duck Valley
Kathy Frazier
Pyramid Lake
Kathy coordinates workshops in risk management workshops, tribal record keeping, and tax management. Kathy is also the coordinator for the Nevada Indian Agriculture Summit.
Victor Williams
Leilani Hanchor
Jordan Lubek
Victor assists with youth development and is the coordinator for hoop house construction projects statewide.
Leilani is located on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation to implement the Veggies For Kids Program and other FRTEP programming.
Jordan educates on a variety of new practices for community sustainability and planning. His programming focuses on the use of geospatial data and technology to better improve productivity and communication in a changing global environment.
Walker River
Duck Valley
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www.unce.unr.edu The University of Nevada, Reno is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation in any program or activity it operates. The University of Nevada employs only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.