| Left-to-Right (ARD/External Affairs, Charna Lefton, Regional Director, Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, SWTFC Executive Director, Mike Montoya, Biologist, Chris Kitcheyan, ARD/Fisheries, Mike Oetker, Deputy RD, Brian Millsap, SWTFC Chairman, Butch Blazer, SWTFC Vice-chairman, Albert John, and SWTFC Secretary-Treasurer, Steve Whiteman. Photo credit: USFWS. |
|
Joe Early, the Native American Liaison for the Southwest Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and hunter Kolt Mike with his 4-by-4 buck. Mike downed his kill with a 150-yard shot on the first day of the Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife Youth Hunt. Photo credit:
© Marley Shebala, Navajo Times. |
|
Regional Director and Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission sign MOU
Southwest Regional Director, Dr. Benjamin Tuggleof the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) and Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission (SWTFC), Chairman, Arthur "Butch" Blazer, signed a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOU) in a cooperative effort to build upon and maintain Government-to-Government relations with tribes in the southwest, the MOU was established as a means to support native fish conservation and recreational fisheries management where mutually held goals of aquatic resource management provides opportunities. A signing ceremony was held at the BIA Regional Office, Albuquerque, NM, which was coordinated between BIA Regional Biologist, Joe Jojola, and Service Native American Liaison. Joe Early.
 |
| Southwest Regional Director, Benjamin Tuggle, PhD. and Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission Chairman, Arthur "Butch" Blazer, shake hands after signing a MOU cooperative. Photo credit: USFWS. |
The Service entered into this MOU under the authority of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 31 United States Code. 6505, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Cooperation Act, 16 USC 661 to 667, and other applicable provisions and policies. The SWTFC entered into this MOU under their current by-laws.
In addition to member participation from the SWTFC, Region 2 Service personnel also present at the signing ceremony were the new Deputy Regional Director, Brian Millsap, Assistant Regional Director (ARD), Fisheries, Mike Oetker, ARD, External Affairs, Charna Lefton, and Supervisory Fish Biologist, Chris Kitcheyan.
Chris Kitcheyan, a tribal member from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, AZ, was also recognized by the SWTFC and was presented with an award by SWTFC Executive Director, Michael Montoya (awaitng feedback on the actual type/title of the award, and exact wording).
The mission statement of the SWTFC is " To advance tribal self-determination and tribal stewardship of fisheries resources through the professional development and support of tribal resource management programs." For more information on the SWTFC, visit their website at http://www.swtfc.org/
For more information on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and work with tribes across the county, visit our national Native American Liaison webpage at http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/
|
|
More than Hunting
By Marley Shebala,
Navajo Times
CARRIZO MOUNTAINS, Ariz., Oct. 2, 2008
Teens learn other skills, gain knowledge on annual youth hunt.
As Brandon Nicholls, 13, of Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., hunted on the high ridges and deep crevices of the Carrizo Mountains for trophy bucks, Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife conservation officer Larry Joe pointed out various plants to him.
For Joe, one of 20 volunteer mentors in the 4th Annual Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife Youth Hunt, hunting is more than hunting.
He learned from his grandparents and Navajo medicine men that hunting involves knowledge of Navajo culture and in the old days took several years to learn.
As Joe walked, he offered quick, quiet briefings to his young charge, telling what each plant was named and how they are used in the Navajo way.
He pointed out a small pine tree that had its branches broken on one side. That's where a buck had rubbed its antlers, he told Nicholls. Passing a small cluster of towering pine trees swaying in the wind, he pointed under them and showed Nicholls where deer had lain - here a buck, there a doe.
Joe repeatedly emphasized to Nicholls that these trophy bucks would test his stamina. They have lived to be the biggest, Joe explained, because they also are the smartest and strongest.
As man and boy chased two huge bucks, Nicholls grew more and more tired. It was not easy for him to climb up and down steep slopes that were thick with brush that hid loose rocks, all the while carrying a backpack and rifle.
Nicholls quickly learned that it took skill to trek the hills with as little noise as possible. Joe often had to turn and whisper a warning to walk more quietly because the sounds of breaking twigs and sliding rocks was keeping the trophy bucks ahead of them.
As the sun moved overhead, here atop the 10,000-foot Carrizo Mountains, the view was spectacular.
A cool breeze helped calm the flush in Nicholls' face. Joe smiled at him and gently advised him to get involved in sports, saying it would strengthen his body and spirit.
Nicholls said he herds sheep for his family but not on top of the Carrizos, though they are easy to see from his house. He could see his home in the distance as they walked across an eastern ridge of the range.
Read the entire article.
|
|
