Post by Okwes on Jan 13, 2008 18:29:25 GMT -5
Udall Foundation scholars spread awareness on issues Posted: June 08,
2007
by: Babette Herrmann
WASHINTON - For 10 years, the Morris K.
Udall Foundation has provided scholarships, internships and fellowships
to the best and brightest college students across the country.
And to celebrate that milestone, 13 of its alums were chosen to climb
aboard the Udall Legacy bus tour. Along the way, the young scholars plan
on stopping in about two dozen locations to spread awareness about
pressing environmental and Native issues. And the bus itself runs on
clean-burning alternative fuels.
The sojourn kicked off June 12 in Washington, D.C., and returns to the
foundation's headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., Aug. 4. Meanwhile, the motor
coach will travel to select cities, Native communities, college campuses
and national parks.
''The scholars came up with the idea,'' said Christopher Helms, the
foundation's executive director.
Udall, an Arizona congressman from 1961 - 1990, was renowned for his
dedication to Native and environmental issues. For example, he worked on
legislation that helped pass the Indian Child Welfare Act, Indian Gaming
Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act -
among many more historical moves. He passed away in 1998 from
Parkinson's disease.
Eli Zigas, communications manager for the tour and one of the lucky 13
alums boarding the bus, said they will visit six Native communities.
The first stop on the Native agenda will be in Ithaca, N.Y. Martina
Gast, tribal co-coordinator, said details are pending for the June 23
visit, but it involves meeting a Mohawk tribal member who is currently
working on a water treatment program and visiting the American Indian
Program at Cornell University.
Gast, 21, an undergraduate majoring in anthropology and American Indian
Studies at the University of Wisconsin -
Madison, said this is her first internship. She is affiliated with the
Red Rock Ojibwe First Nation Band, located in Nipigon, Ontario.
''I am hoping to learn a lot and hope that people learn from what I
know,'' she said.
On July 6 the alums plan to visit the United Houma Nation, located about
80 miles south of New Orleans. Thousands of tribal members' homes
suffered damage when Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005.
Brenda Dardar Robichaux, principal chief of the United Houma Nation,
said the tribe plans on hosting a workshop that will reveal all of the
challenges of coastal erosion, hurricane threats and rebuilding homes
post-Katrina.
But first, the scholars will tour the Houma community.
''They are going to go out on a boat and visit the swamps and hopefully
see wildlife, such as alligators and things like that,'' Robichaux said.
Besides engaging in tours and workshops, the young alums plan to lend a
helping hand wherever possible on the tour.
''We will try to find a painting or small construction project that will
help an elder while they are here,'' Robichaux added.
On July 8, the scholars will make a stop in Oklahoma City to participate
in a Native health symposium sponsored by the Oklahoma Medical Research
Foundation. ''This event is going to be open to the public,'' Zigas
said.
From there, the scholars will tour Haskell Indian Nations University in
Lawrence, Kan., July 10. Plans for additional activities there are
pending.
Next is a stop at Salish Kootenai College, located on the Flathead
Indian Reservation in Pablo, Mont., July 18 - 19. Zigas said they plan
to meet with students and faculty from the irrigation and tree-planting
programs for some hands-on projects. ''I am not sure how it's going to
work, but I am sure they will provide some shovels,'' he quipped.
For their final Native visit, scholars are slated to visit the
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in Oregon July 25. So far, they
plan on spending the day helping the tribe with projects involving the
construction of a campground on pow wow grounds.
On June 21, the Legacy bus will be certified under the University of
Vermont's new ''Green Coach Certification'' program. It is a breakdown
of 80 percent ultra-low-sulfur diesel and 20 percent biodiesel fuels.
And it also comes equipped with emissions-monitoring hardware.
Biodiesel fuel is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural,
renewable sources such as vegetable oils. According to the Environmental
Protection Agency, ultra-low-sulfur diesel burns 90 percent cleaner than
traditional diesel.
''We can show by example that there are other alternatives besides
traditional fossil fuels,'' Zigas said.
Anyone can track the nearly two-month odyssey by visiting the Udall
Foundation's Web site: www.udall.gov. Supporters can also view blog
entries, videos and photos, and leave comments at the site.
2007
by: Babette Herrmann
WASHINTON - For 10 years, the Morris K.
Udall Foundation has provided scholarships, internships and fellowships
to the best and brightest college students across the country.
And to celebrate that milestone, 13 of its alums were chosen to climb
aboard the Udall Legacy bus tour. Along the way, the young scholars plan
on stopping in about two dozen locations to spread awareness about
pressing environmental and Native issues. And the bus itself runs on
clean-burning alternative fuels.
The sojourn kicked off June 12 in Washington, D.C., and returns to the
foundation's headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., Aug. 4. Meanwhile, the motor
coach will travel to select cities, Native communities, college campuses
and national parks.
''The scholars came up with the idea,'' said Christopher Helms, the
foundation's executive director.
Udall, an Arizona congressman from 1961 - 1990, was renowned for his
dedication to Native and environmental issues. For example, he worked on
legislation that helped pass the Indian Child Welfare Act, Indian Gaming
Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act -
among many more historical moves. He passed away in 1998 from
Parkinson's disease.
Eli Zigas, communications manager for the tour and one of the lucky 13
alums boarding the bus, said they will visit six Native communities.
The first stop on the Native agenda will be in Ithaca, N.Y. Martina
Gast, tribal co-coordinator, said details are pending for the June 23
visit, but it involves meeting a Mohawk tribal member who is currently
working on a water treatment program and visiting the American Indian
Program at Cornell University.
Gast, 21, an undergraduate majoring in anthropology and American Indian
Studies at the University of Wisconsin -
Madison, said this is her first internship. She is affiliated with the
Red Rock Ojibwe First Nation Band, located in Nipigon, Ontario.
''I am hoping to learn a lot and hope that people learn from what I
know,'' she said.
On July 6 the alums plan to visit the United Houma Nation, located about
80 miles south of New Orleans. Thousands of tribal members' homes
suffered damage when Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005.
Brenda Dardar Robichaux, principal chief of the United Houma Nation,
said the tribe plans on hosting a workshop that will reveal all of the
challenges of coastal erosion, hurricane threats and rebuilding homes
post-Katrina.
But first, the scholars will tour the Houma community.
''They are going to go out on a boat and visit the swamps and hopefully
see wildlife, such as alligators and things like that,'' Robichaux said.
Besides engaging in tours and workshops, the young alums plan to lend a
helping hand wherever possible on the tour.
''We will try to find a painting or small construction project that will
help an elder while they are here,'' Robichaux added.
On July 8, the scholars will make a stop in Oklahoma City to participate
in a Native health symposium sponsored by the Oklahoma Medical Research
Foundation. ''This event is going to be open to the public,'' Zigas
said.
From there, the scholars will tour Haskell Indian Nations University in
Lawrence, Kan., July 10. Plans for additional activities there are
pending.
Next is a stop at Salish Kootenai College, located on the Flathead
Indian Reservation in Pablo, Mont., July 18 - 19. Zigas said they plan
to meet with students and faculty from the irrigation and tree-planting
programs for some hands-on projects. ''I am not sure how it's going to
work, but I am sure they will provide some shovels,'' he quipped.
For their final Native visit, scholars are slated to visit the
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in Oregon July 25. So far, they
plan on spending the day helping the tribe with projects involving the
construction of a campground on pow wow grounds.
On June 21, the Legacy bus will be certified under the University of
Vermont's new ''Green Coach Certification'' program. It is a breakdown
of 80 percent ultra-low-sulfur diesel and 20 percent biodiesel fuels.
And it also comes equipped with emissions-monitoring hardware.
Biodiesel fuel is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural,
renewable sources such as vegetable oils. According to the Environmental
Protection Agency, ultra-low-sulfur diesel burns 90 percent cleaner than
traditional diesel.
''We can show by example that there are other alternatives besides
traditional fossil fuels,'' Zigas said.
Anyone can track the nearly two-month odyssey by visiting the Udall
Foundation's Web site: www.udall.gov. Supporters can also view blog
entries, videos and photos, and leave comments at the site.