Abstract:
A natural resource science education program for members of the Warm Springs
Indian Reservation was designed and developed in partnership with tribal members. The
intent of the project was to create a culturally relevant program supported by culturally
reflective educational materials which met local needs. The goal of the project was to
provide an on-reservation, partnership-based natural resource education program for the
purpose of developing understanding between Indians and non-Indians about natural
resource education, science, and management strategies. The program was taught on-reservation.
Respect and understanding of some cultural differences between Indians and
Euro-Americans occurred, and tribal members gained an understanding of the Euro-
American view of the science behind natural resource management.
The program was considered a success in both short-, and long-term gains. Short-term
gains included a 16.30% increase in short-term knowledge gained in coursework
sessions where this was measured. Long-term gains included providing a guideline for
the design of the 1991 OSU/Warm Springs Memorandum of Understanding, the on-reservation
application of coursework knowledge gained, an increase in tribal member's
interest in natural resource science education, and the design of an exportable model for
university/reservation natural resource science education programs.
