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Native Peoples
Wildlife Management
Working Group
Hello Everyone,
This past year has been a busy one for our working group.
After a one-year hiatus, we sent seven students as part of
the Native Student Professional Development Program to
the TWS Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA. This
conference was one of the more enjoyable, albeit
incredibly busy, ones I have had the pleasure of attending
with great events, talks, and friends. This conference also
saw the first co-sponsored workshop by our working group
and the Ethnic and Gender Diversity Working Group titled
“Human diversity and changing professional identities in
wildlife professions.” This was a star-studded symposium
that included three current or past TWS Presidents, our
own Serra Hoagland (Sec. Treas.), and a host of other
speakers presenting current information and fostering
discussion on the implications of changing demographics
on our profession. See inside for more information!
We are excited to announce that TWS and the U.S. Forest
Service has initiated a program designed at advancing and
training Native students for careers in natural resource and
conservation related fields. Our working group assisted
with reviewing research proposals from USFS Research
and Development scientists and selecting students to fill
those project (See more at: http://news.wildlife.org/native-
american-program-assistantship).
In more exciting news, our working group has been asked
to help develop a chapter on “Managing wildlife on Tribal
lands” that will be included in the 8th Edition of the
Wildlife Techniques Manual. This will be the first time
that tribal wildlife issues will be highlighted in the manual
in the 55 year history of the publication.
Looking into the future, we will be hosting our next round
of elections in October, so if you are interested in getting
more involved, stay tuned.
Letter from the Chair
We have submitted a proposal for a symposium focused
on “Indigenous peoples involved in wildlife management”
for next year’s annual meeting and we are anxiously
awaiting the conference committee’s decision.
Last, but not least, we are looking forward to sending
another cohort of Professional Development Program
recipients to Winnipeg, so keep an eye out for an
announcement in the coming months (and help us spread
the word!).
With that, I would like to first say a big THANK YOU to
Heather as she puts together this last newsletter, before
handing the reins over to Molly O’Grady. As I approach
the end of my term, I would also like to say thank you to
everyone on our board, and to you as members who
continue to support our Working Group and our mission.
I encourage you to run for a board position this fall if you
would like become further involved in our group. In
regards to elections, or any other questions you may have,
please feel free to contact me at
Philámayaye (Thank you)
Michel Kohl
Chair,
Native Peoples’ Wildlife
Management Working Group
Announcing new Communications
Coordinator/Newsletter Editor Molly O’Grady
Climate Change Opportunities
Working Group Activities
TWS/USFS Native Student Partnership
Inside this issue:
Inside this issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1
Spring 2015
- NPWM Working Group has submitted a proposal for 2015 symposium in Winnipeg - T-shirts!! Do you want to help design the next NPWMWG t-shirt? If so, please contact [email protected]
with your ideas by June 1st. Thanks!
Announcements
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 2
Announcing the new NPWM Working Group
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor
-submitted by Heather Stricker Orlovsky
With my upcoming position as Chair of the NPWM Working
Group, I realized it was time to pass the torch as
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor. It is
with some sadness that I do this, as I have held this position
since 2007 (8 years already!), but I also do it without
trepidation, as I know our incoming Editor will do great!
With that, I would like to introduce Molly O’Grady, who will
take the position of newsletter and communication for the
Working Group this summer!
Molly grew up on the South Side of Chicago for most of her
childhood. The rich cultural diversity of the city and the lack
of environmental awareness lead her to pursue a career in
natural resources with an interest in working with diverse
cultural backgrounds. She completed her Associates in
Science at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL before
attending the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
(UWSP) in the Fall of 2012. Since her arrival at UWSP, she
has conducted research along-side professors and fellow
students covering topics on southern flying squirrels, fisher,
greater prairie chicken, nest detection probability methods,
and South African wildlife ecology. She graduates with her
Bachelors of Science in May 2015 with a major in Wildlife
Ecology: Research and Management.
From the Chair-Elect Submission Request for Newsletters
Calling all Working Group members!! We want to know
what is going on where you are! As a national (and now
international!) working group, it is difficult to always keep
up on what members in other parts of the country and other
reaches of the world. Keep members of our group
informed on issues and announcements pertinent to
wildlife management and conservation in Indian Country.
Please feel free to submit any of the following for
inclusion in the newsletter:
Job and internship openings
Scholarship opportunities
Research and management on indigenous lands
Policy regarding wildlife management as it
pertains to Tribes
Any other announcement or information you’d like to get
out to your colleagues in Tribal wildlife management.
Please submit to Molly O’Grady, NPWM Communications
Coordinator, at: [email protected] . Submissions
are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Native Peoples' Wildlife Management Working Group
promotes improved relationships between
state/provincial/federal wildlife managers and tribal
wildlife managers through improved communications. The
Working Group provides a forum for Tribal and agency
wildlife professionals to discuss wildlife management on
reservations and aboriginal lands and to share viewpoints
on proposed policies affecting wildlife management in
Indian Country. The Working Group works to enhance
wildlife management on and off reservations through joint
activities.
Mission
With this degree, Molly
hopes to work directly
with various cultural
backgrounds to
understand their
relationships and
traditional methods of
working with wildlife
and the land in order to
conserve and protect our
natural resources.
Molly O’Grady
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 3
Native Student Professional Development
program continues to be a success!
- By Serra Hoagland
In fall 2014 seven outstanding students were selected for
the Native Student Professional Development Program
(PD Program) and traveled to the Wildlife Society
Annual Meeting in Pittsburg. Selected students had a
number of requirements to fulfill as part of their
attendance at the meeting. Prior to the conference
students participated in several Skype meetings with
other grant recipients to prepare them for their
experience, introduce them to their cohorts and answer
any questions related to the conference events. Upon
arrival, students attended the Student and the New
Member’s Receptions where they met with other students
from other universities and fellow new attendees.
Students attended two working group meetings, were
introduced to several Student Conservation Association
(SCA) opportunities, and various organizations,
companies and agencies at the trade show exhibit booths.
Professional Development grant recipients also
participated in the Student-professional Mixer where they
interacted with hundreds of professionals that work
throughout North America. Students also had the
opportunity to meet and network with members of TWS
Council on Wednesday October 29th and actively
participated in the Diversity symposium co-sponsored by
the Native Peoples Wildlife Management Working
Group. During the Native Peoples Wildlife Management
Working Group (NPWMWG) annual meeting, several
PD students volunteered to help organize for the 2015
NPWMWG sponsored symposium. It is apparent that
students who have participated in this program are
interested in remaining active in The Wildlife Society,
our NPWMWG, advancing their professions, and sharing
their experiences with their communities.
We’re actively looking for additional funds to support the
2015 Native Student Professional Development program
cohort. If you are interested in donating towards this
effort please contact Serra Hoagland
Professional Development Program
2014 Native Student Professional
Development program grant recipients
Raymond Gutierrez, Wuksachi-Mono
Tribe, CA, is a graduate student at SUNY-
ESF, Syracuse, NY. Raymond is studying
forest ecology.
Riley Smith, Shoshoni, is a biology
student at Northern Arizona University in
Flagstaff. She is looking at reclaimed
water quality, examining endocrine
changes using fish and amphibians as
indicator species.
Brandon Frederick, Iowa Tribe of Kansas
and Nebraska, is a Master’s student
studying entomology at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln. He has a special interest
in invasive species.
Serina Ki’ili, a Native Hawaiian, is
pursuing a B.S. degree in Marine Science
at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, looking
at coral reef health.
Kate Galbreath, is from Alaska and is a
Koyukon Athabascan. She is a PhD
student at Utah State University. She is
focused on the development and fitness
consequences of increased onshore
behavior of Polar bears in the Southern
Beaufort Sea of Alaska.
Freya Hately, a Native Alaskan, Yupik, is
an undergraduate student at Alaska Pacific
University, studying Marine Biology. She
is currently looking at Pacific Razor Clam
recruitment on and around the coastline of
Ninilchik, Alaska.
Jacob Naranjo, is from the Santa Clara
Pueblo, is an undergraduate student at New
Mexico State University in Las Cruces.
He is currently working on a Golden Eagle
project in southern New Mexico.
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 4
BIA Announces New Tribal Cooperative
Landscape Conservation Program
In February 2015, the Department of Interior’s Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced a new Tribal
Cooperative Landscape Conservation Program, which
will provide support and up to $8 million in funding to
support tribal projects that address climate change
adaptation and ocean and coastal management
planning.
It is important to note that this funding is available to
all Federally Recognized Tribes, not just those in
coastal areas, with half of the funding to go towards
climate change adaptation planning. Awards will be
made to projects that address climate change impacts
through vulnerability analysis, adaptation planning,
and increased monitoring cycles for climate adaptation
management. Coastal projects include those that are in
the Great Lakes area as well as ocean communities,
and will fund projects that address coastal resource
health, resiliency, community safety, and economic
security. Categories for funding include: Trainings and
Workshops, Climate Adaptation Planning, Ocean and
Coastal Management Planning, and travel support to
attend meetings, workshops, and trainings.
The proposal deadline is April 24.
For application package and questions, contact your
Regional Climate Change BIA representative or Ms.
Helen Riggs, Deputy Bureau Director, Office of Trust
Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, at:
[email protected] or by calling (202) 208-5770.
More information can also be found at:
www.bia.WhoWeAre/BIA/climatechange/index.htm.
Climate Change Funding and Training Opportunities
Course on Climate Change
Adaptation Planning
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals is
offering a course on June 16-18 in Bishop, CA. that
will provide an introduction into planning for climate
change impacts, highlighting the work of several tribes.
The course is intended for tribal environmental and
natural resource professionals who expect to be
involved in climate change adaptation planning.
Topics include:
Climate change in the Great Basin
Process of developing climate change
adaptation plans
Climate change impacts, vulnerabilities, and
adaptation strategies
Tools and resources for the planning process
This course employs a variety of instructional methods
such as presentations including tribal case studies,
large- and small-group discussions, and a ½ day field
trip. Participants will need to complete a pre-course
assignment prior to attending. Registration deadline is
April 27, 2015 for priority consideration. Applications
received after that date will be reviewed on a case-by-
case basis.
For more information and a registration form, contact:
Sue Wotkyns
Climate Change Program Manager
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 928-523-1488
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 5
Pittsburgh Symposium
Ethnic and Gender Diversity WG and
Native Peoples WG come together to
support symposium at 2014 TWS meeting
-submitted by Michel Kohl and Serra Hoagland
During the 2014 TWS National Conference in
Pittsburgh, the Native Peoples Wildlife Management
Working Group co-sponsored a symposium entitled:
“Human diversity and changing professional identities
in wildlife professions”.
This event marked the first time that the Ethnic and
Gender Diversity WG (EGWG) and Native Peoples’
Wildlife Management Working Group have
collaborated on a symposium together, and it proved
incredibly rewarding for conference attendees. This
symposium was developed with the objective of
addressing challenges the diverse array of people in the
wildlife profession may face today. We were
specifically interested in identifying strategies for
recruiting and retaining individuals from diverse
backgrounds and cultural understandings.
Standout speakers included Dr. Wini Kessler and Dr.
Rick Baydack. Our speakers highlight challenges faced
by a diverse array of groups in our profession including
ethnic minorities, women in the profession, and
members of the LBGT community. By the conclusion
of the symposium, I can honestly say there is still a
great deal of work to do, but looking back through the
views of some of our speakers, I am also proud to say
that we have come a long ways, particularly in relation
to females in our profession. If you were unable to
attend, I hope you will take some time to listen to some
of the talks given at this symposium, and hopefully you
will be as moved as we were. You can listen to the
talks online here: http://tws.sclivelearningcenter.com/.
Employment Opportunities
The Summit Lake Paiute Tribe is currently accepting
applications for Natural Resources Technician -
Fisheries Project to assist with fisheries management
and research, and a Creel Census Taker to monitor fish
harvest and issue transportation permits on the Summit
Lake Indian Reservation. These positions are open
until filled.
Additionally, the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe is
currently accepting applications from Native
Americans for several noxious weed technicians to
assist with noxious weed management on the Summit
Lake Indian Reservation.
For more information and how to apply:
http://summitlaketribe.org/Employment_Opportunities.
html
***
The Yurok Tribe of Klamath, CA. is currently
accepting applications for Natural Resources Division
Director. This position will oversee the planning,
directing and coordinating of divisional activities
relating to Fisheries, Forestry, Tribal Environment
Protection, and Watershed. This position offers a
unique opportunity for creative leadership in advancing
sustainability initiatives within the tribe including to
develop land acquisition and landscape management
programs. The NRD Director will coordinate and
implement division policies, budgets, and programs
across all NR-related departments and will work to
ensure operational and administrative continuity and
coordination among sections and work units. For more
information and how to apply:
http://www.yuroktribe.org/departments/personnel/anno
uncements.htm
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 6
USFS, TWS Launch Program for Native
American Students
TWS Headquarters - The U.S. Forest Service and The
Wildlife Society are excited to launch a Native
American Professional Development Program, which
will provide valuable knowledge to Native American
students who are interested in becoming wildlife
biologists. The program will allow students to learn
and gain beneficial hand-on experience while working
with a wildlife professional on the approved project.
The USFS has worked closely with TWS to develop
mentoring opportunities for Native American students
to work as research assistants with USFS Research &
Development (R&D) scientists. R&D funding will be
used to provide living stipends for upper-level
undergraduate (juniors or seniors) and graduate
students during their mentorship, while TWS will
provide administrative support and coordination.
Four students have been selected for research
assistantships, which will last for approximately 14
weeks, beginning in late spring of 2015 and running
through late summer of 2015.
Raymond Gutteriez, a graduate student at SUNY-ESF,
and Jessica Lackey, a graduate student at the
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, will be
mentored by Jonathan Long, Research Ecologist at the
Pacific Southwest Research Station. Their project topic
will be “Restoring California black oak to support
tribal values and wildlife habitat in the Sierra Nevada.”
Alayna Johnson, a student at the University of
Minnesota – Morris, has been paired with mentor
Deahn Donner, Research Ecologist and Project Leader
at USFS Northern Research Station, and will be
working on “Tracking post-emergence movements of
Myotis spp. to uncover habitat preferences and
potential migratory routes.
Jacob Naranjo, a student at New Mexico State
University, will be working on the “Kings River Fisher
Project – Ecology and Habitat Requirements” and will
be mentored by Kathryn Purcell.
New Partnership between TWS and USFS
The Professional Development Program will facilitate
mentoring opportunities and promote student
advancement and training for careers in natural
resource and conservation-related fields. After
completing the assistantship, students will submit a
report to the USFS and TWS detailing their learning
experience.
“We are excited about supporting the TWS Native
American Professional Development Program through
these experiential opportunities for wildlife biology
students,” said Monica Tomosy, National Wildlife
Research Program Leader in the USDA Forest Service.
“The four students come with impressive backgrounds
and the opportunity to work with our agency’s
professional research scientists will help them develop
the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in
wildlife and natural resource stewardship
The USDA Forest Service is keen to integrate Native
American managers, biologists, and scientists, because
their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) combined
with modern science holds promises for us as we
broaden our understanding of sustainable ecosystem
function.
Because these student/scientist relationships are based
in natural resource questions relevant to Native
American communities as well as to public trust
managers, the relationships built here can open many
doors for knowledge exchange, resource management,
and the students’ career development.”
Full article can be found at: http://wildlife.org/usfs-
tws-launch-program-for-native-american-students/
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 7
Research Highlight
Implementing Wildlife Research on the Navajo Nation
By Chase Voirin
Mule deer are both a culturally and economically important natural resource species to the Navajo tribe. They have
been a culturally significant species for centuries and this is evident in Navajo origin stories and cultural practices.
Their economic importance lies in the sale of both tribal and non-tribal mule deer hunting permits, and like most state
game and fish departments, the revenue generated through these hunting permits is cycled back into the conservation
and management of both game and non-game species. Another tangible benefit of mule deer to the Navajo people is
that they provide sustenance in the form of meat. One of the challenges surrounding the conservation and
management of mule deer on the Navajo Reservation is that there are still knowledge gaps regarding baseline
biological data, including data on their diet.
Biologists have often used microhistology (i.e. the recognition of plant morphology under a microscope) to investigate
diets of mule deer populations via scat analyses. However, the accuracy of microhistology in determining diet
richness at a fine level of taxonomic resolution has been questioned. Therefore, we decided to use a novel, genetics
technique to assess deer diet by using next-generation sequencing (NGS) (i.e. the recognition of plant DNA sequences
through a genetics platform) via scat analyses. NGS has only been used in a handful of studies to assess ungulate diet,
and even fewer studies have compared microhistology and NGS to assess herbivore diet. Our research involves using
microhistology and next-generation sequencing to assess diet richness and dietary taxonomic resolution for mule deer
populations inhabiting the Navajo Nation. In this sense, we were able to design a research project that would both
provide the NNDFW with useful biological data, as well as make an interesting contribution to the general wildlife
scientific community.
As with most collaborative research studies, it is important to keep all cooperators’ interests in mind. This is no different
when collaborating with a tribe on a wildlife research project. Over the years, I’ve been able to build a healthy relationship
with my tribe’s fish and wildlife department through multiple positive employment experiences. This relationship
Tribal natural resource agencies face similar challenges that all natural
resource agencies often face: low funding, staff shortages, public and
political obstacles, and a lack of resources to effectively extrapolate
biological information. These are challenges that the Navajo Nation
Department of Fish and Wildlife (NNDFW) face every year. As a
Navajo tribal member, a former employee of my tribal fish and wildlife
department, and a graduate student pursuing a Masters degree in wildlife
management and conservation, I decided I wanted to try and mitigate at
least one of those challenges.
I started graduate school at the University of Arizona in 2012 with the
mindset that I was going to collaborate with my tribe to help them gain
biological knowledge regarding a big-game species. This proved more
challenging than I had initially anticipated considering there was no
research funding available and we had to formulate a project that would
be feasible and effective with the time period of my graduate career.
Navajo grad student Chase Voirin, working in
the field.
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 8
An avid outdoorsman, Mark was a member of Ducks Unlimited where he volunteered numerous hours assisting with all
aspects of the organization. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, hiking, camping, fly tying, and duck hunting. Mark was an excellent
friend to many and enjoyed spending time with his family and teaching his young sons about the outdoors.
He was a 1992 graduate of Homestead High School, Fort Wayne, IN and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife
Conservation from Northern Michigan University. On Sept. 23, 2000, Mark married Jennifer Ann McWilliams at the
Portage Point Inn in Onekama, MI. Mark and Jennifer had 2 sons and 3 hunting dogs all of whom accompanied him during
his many outdoor adventures. Mark was an incredible asset to the wildlife community and will be greatly missed.
In Memoriam
It is with heavy hearts we honor the life of our friend,
colleague, and passionate wildlife conservationist, Mark
Knee, who passed away on March 29 due to injuries
sustained from a skiing accident in Michigan. Mark was
a passionate outdoorsman and biologist, who spent
several years as a wildlife biologist for the Little River
Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Most recently, Mark was employed with the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources as a wildlife technician.
Mark was also a fishing guide for Schmidt Outfitters in
Wellston, Michigan and enjoyed spending much of his
time teaching novice anglers the art of fishing.
Continued from Page 7
has allowed me to gain a level of appreciated trust to carry out this research study. One of the best ways I’ve kept
that trust is through constant communication regarding the goals we, as collaborators, decided to accomplish and the
continued progress of this research project. While much of our data are forthcoming, we have made significant
progress in generating results that will not only prove useful in completing this research study, but will hopefully aid
my tribal fish and wildlife department in future conservation and management efforts for mule deer populations. We
have also been able to successfully implement several collaborative efforts through fieldwork, sample collections,
and sample identification. With declining mule deer populations across the western half of the U.S. there is a concern
among NNDFW personnel regarding the fate of their mule deer herds.
As a Navajo tribal member pursuing a degree in higher education, I’ve taken pride in knowing that I am helping tribal
efforts to effectively extrapolate biological information regarding an important natural resource, as well as using
cutting-edge technology to possibly advance wildlife conservation. It could be debated that the strength of this
project not only lies in the hard data obtained through research, but through the symbolic nature that it is truly
possible to collaborate with tribal natural resource agencies. My tribe’s fish and wildlife department has been
incredibly supportive of my endeavors, and this demonstrates their concern regarding the health of their wildlife
populations. I’ve come to appreciate the strength and resiliency of the NNDFW in the multiple aforementioned
challenges they face, and perhaps, this research project can be used as a guide for future research between tribal
agencies and wildlife biologists.
Research Highlight, Cont’d.
April 21-22, 2015
Tribal Wetland Working Group workshop
Hosted by Suquamish Tribe, WA.
Contact Tom Curley: [email protected]
or Rudy Salakory: [email protected]
May 12-14, 2015
National (Climate Change) Adaptation Forum
St. Louis Union Station Hotel
St. Louis, MO.
http://nationaladaptationforum.org/
May 20-22, 2015
33rd
Annual National Conference
Native American Fish and Wildlife Society
Centennial Hall
Juneau, Alaska
www.nafws.org
July 26-30, 2015
5th
International Wildlife Management Conference
Sapporo, Japan
http://iwmc2015.org/
August 11-13, 2015
29th
Annual NAFWS Southwest
Regional Conference
Silver Legacy Resort Casino
Reno, Nevada
http://www.nafws.org/events/regional-events
October 17-21, 2015
2015 Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society
RBC Convention Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
www.wildlife.org/2015conference
Calendar of Events
Working Group Officers
Chair: Michel Kohl
Chair-Elect: Heather Stricker Orlovsky
Past-Chair: Paige Schmidt
Secretary-Treasurer: Serra Hoagland
Communications Coordinator/Newsletter Editor:
Molly O’Grady ([email protected])
Board Members: Nathan Svoboda, Joseph Hnatiuk, Rob
McCoy, Aurelia DeNasha, Barry Stieglitz
Volume 7, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Page 9
How to Join NPWM Working Group
If anyone is interested in joining the NPWM Working
Group, please visit your TWS login website (through
wildlife.org) and select the “Add Subunits/Publications to
Active Membership” button. To be eligible for a
membership in a working group, interested individuals
must be a current member of The Wildlife Society. It is
not required to be affiliated with a Tribe to participate.
Student dues are waived by the working group. If you
have any questions concerning working group dues or how
to join, contact the membership coordinator at (301) 897-
9770 or by E-mail at [email protected].