Camp Kwiyamuntsi - Building stewardship through cultural traditions

Laughter Kwiyamuntsi is the name of the camp and that's the plateau on top cause this is up high. We have a tie to this earth and all of these little plants and all of these little animals are part of that, part of us that's where we,in our hearts they're part that we bring all together and they come to that one part in our hearts which will help take care of all this land that we have here And where did the scientists learn the science, you know, from my people from the people that that were long ago. That's what they are talking about, and for us to reiterate that and actually have the kids say "Well this is the science part, but it's also the cultural part -- they're the same." They are actually teaching me about my people and what we did when we didn't have a lot of things. We only a natural resources. It's just so good to see these tribal kids reconnect with this land. This is their land, this is where their ancestors walked. And the kids are understanding that concept that their ancestors were managing the land, well before I ever got here or my ancestors ever got here. And it's really the same way that science has figured out today that it really is the right way to do it. I think it's really trying to blend or marry the traditional approach to Public Land Management and looking at the cultural with regards to wildland fire, water, wildlife and a variety of things and just trying to give the young people who attend the camp a sense that being able to see that they're cultural tradition is is also married within that. I think it's important for all of the Paiute kids to know about their people and this is a good way, and I like sharing my...what I have been tought. What I was brought up with, and I'm glad that I can share it with other people. But hearing the Paiute history and what they call things and what places mean to them That's all new information for me and I love to learn about the places where I live and work. For myself I live in two worlds. I live in my cultural world, that's from my indigenous lifestyle and then also from the American lifestyle. You know this is bringing in science it's bringing in technology and that's the world I live in. I live in two worlds, not just one world. Just having to sit with our elders and the agency people, actually listening to both sides and watching the kids reaction to both sides how they're kinda meshing both sides together now that they've seen what they can do. I wish I had this when I was growing up cause I would have probably learned a lot more, a lot faster. For me it was life lessons, for me how I learned about my culture and my heritage. So I think this is a positive spin for our youth at this time. I hope that they take away with him the ability to listen more because that were I lacked in learning more from my grandmothers and great-grandmother. Usually I am on my laptop at home and here it is just really quiet and I have a whole lot more focused than I do at home and so I just find it really nice cause I don't do this a lot. I think it was just more important that the kids could get more in touch with their cultural side and traditional. I learned a lot more language than I thought I would. I never learned this, like, I never really paid attention. So, I find it really interesting that now that I'm older I can comprehend all the things they're actually teaching me. I'd like to thank the elders for, you know, being here and helping us, because they don't have to be here but they choose to be and they're just helping us. And because we're the next generation learning these things, and we're gonna pass it on to our friends and our children that we'll eventually have. I think the message the I like to see them have is is a respect for each other, and a respect for all the plants and the animals and the water and where we are at, here in this higher elevation in the trees that are here. Very obvious that part in this is for young people to think about federal agencies as being a potential career and we wanted them to see that the possibility for some of the things they're learning about here is something that could lead to a career for them. So they're going to meet people that are doing that right now. Don't be afraid to go out and take a chance. You know, life begins where your comfort zone ends. They all have an interest in youth. They all have an interest in bettering our natural environment. And when we have an opportunity like this and everyone comes together and it all comes together, it's a really, really, amazing thing. We're all looking at the same pad that we want the next generation to understand and preserve. For me the most rewarding experience has been building that bond with the tribal elders and with the tribal people and building a better relationship with the other agencies and with the University -- it's been great. I like mostly then camaraderie of everyone here, staff and just everyone that's here. I do think it's really good efficient government. I think we're here, we're pooling resources to do things that we are all wanting to do and that's engaging youth. Introducing them to the outdoors and given the possibility for a future in public management. I like to give out what I know to the kids so that our culture won't be gone and I'd just like them to know and have an identity with who they are and where they come from.