The Tribal Program

Aroostook Band of Micmacs
Summer Youth Practicum
2009
A GREAT SUCCESS!

An Open Letter to EPA New England Regional Indian Program

On Behalf of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, I am pleased to report that the 2009 summer youth practicum was a great success! This morning a summer practicum closing ceremony was held in the traditional longhouse that was constructed by the Tribal youth as part of the course for the youth practicum. The traditional longhouse and associated cultural practices are inextricably linked to mother earth and natural resources, and provided a cultural context for the environmental education activities that were conducted at the youth practicum.

On behalf of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, thank you to EPA for the reviewing and approving our grant application in a timely manner, and for providing funding for the youth practicum.

I would also like to recognize the Aroostook Band of Micmacs' youth and cultural programs for their outstanding efforts to make the youth practicum a great success.

Above is a photograph of the closing ceremony in the longhouse constructed by the youth, and a group photograph of youth practicum participants.

Thank you again to everyone for your assistance with this valuable educational and cultural experience for New England Tribal youth.

Fred Corey
Environmental Director

EPA's American Indian Tribal Portal

In New England, there are 10 federally recognized Tribes with an approximate land base of 260,000 acres. Throughout Indian Country, Tribes have primarily elected to place environmental activities within their Natural Resource Departments. The New England Tribes have done likewise. Currently, all the New England Tribes have Tribal environmental management programs. The Tribes have developed capability to assess environmental quality through monitoring, data collection, and reporting. Most of the Tribes are conducting air and water monitoring, and a few have approved assessments and Best Management Practices for non-point source pollution. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which received federal recognition in 2007, is just beginning to develop an environmental capability. The New England Tribes run across a spectrum from upland blueberry barrens to large and sophisticated gaming operations and resort hotels. Agriculture contributes to non-point pollution in rural areas whereas tribal gaming enterprises generate vehicle trips which generate air emissions. Ozone generation from upwind sources, atmospheric deposition of toxic contaminants, accumulation of persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) compounds, and water quality are specific concerns of the tribes.

Tribal members rely on natural resources to a greater extent than the general population to provide the Tribe with food and spiritual sustenance. Many tribal members engage in hunting, fishing, and gathering. Medicine men and women and ethno-biologists gather plants, herbs and animals as part of cultural practices on tribal land and other traditionally occupied areas. Therefore, Tribal members are at greater risk due to a higher level of environmental exposures than the general population. In addition, with regard to climate change, because the New England Tribes often live in coastal or riverine areas and rely on specific ecological settings for their cultural existence and subsistence any changes in sea level or climate will be particularly felt. The Tribes also have continuing concerns about environmental contaminants and their impact on tribal health.

The Tribal Programs

Mohegan Tribe Food Waste Recycling Program
The Mohegan Tribe is one of 25 EPA Waste Wise national partners. Members are required to have an effective waste reduction program and are asked to report their waste reduction efforts each year. For the full story click on the link Mohegan Tribe food waste recycling program (PDF) (27 pp, 2.5MB, about PDF).

We present this information about solid waste management programs for your information. For further information about the Mohegan program, contact Jean McInnis at 860-862-6112; for Waste Wise, contact Janet Bowen at 617-918-1795, and for solid waste, call Chuck Franks at 617-918-1554.