ode’ imini-giizis 2012 Time for Picking Strawberry Moon – June provided time for students to travel and study water quality and land use in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We began the week visiting the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth. There we spent time looking at displays as well as the part invasive species such as lamprey, asian carp and even goldfish play in undesirable changes to our lakes and rivers.We began a week long study of the the geology of the Minnesota/Wisconsin landscape. After a stop by the Barnes & Nobles to pick up a book to read this week, students learned about the photographic work of Wing Young Huie. Everyone participated in a chalk talk producing very telling images.
Tuesday we traveled to Odanah, WI and visited with the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFC). The Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission is commonly known by its acronym, GLIFWC. Formed in 1984, GLIFWC represents eleven Ojibwe tribes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan who reserved hunting, fishing and gathering rights in the 1837, 1842, and 1854 Treaties with the United States government.GLFWC provides natural resource management expertise, conservation enforcement, legal and policy analysis, and public information services in support of the exercise of treaty rights during well-regulated, off-reservation seasons throughout the treaty ceded territories. Time was spent cooling off in Lake Superior before we visited the Bad River Fishery. Students were able to see the current work underway of managing the fish population.
Wednesday we headed up to Ely where we visited the North American Bear Center and the old mine. Time was spent swimming in a lake, playing volleyball and walking through paths near the lake. Thursday students spent some time at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community Center in the pool and gym during the morning. Throughout the week students were directed to observe various rocks/complete short studies of the areas geology as well as gathering water samples along the Lake Superior shore and St. Louis river watershed to conduct study. Thursday afternoon students attended classes on Scratch, conducted tests clarifying water quality issues and geology.
After students cleaned up their dorm rooms they made sun prints on fabric of area plants with Ojibwe labels. The week’s work was presented by students for parents and family on Friday. Students prepares PowerPoint visuals to accompany their reflections on an activity (or more) they were particularly interested in. Presentations were excellent!