6/19/2026 Juneteenth

 We woke up at the same time 6am, we ate breakfast and put everything away. We went to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute which is the museum next to Wildhorse Casino, we walked around and had time to really sit and listen to the stories that are told at different parts of different exhibits. Some of the stories were a little surprising, I never really heard stories about the boarding school Chemawa even though my aunt went there not as a original boarding school but later on as the non threatening boarding school. The things they all had to go through is unimaginable, then there was the different coyote stories and boards that told different versions of stories I've heard before but they had visuals that were hieroglyphs used for coyotes, birds, bears, cougars, and the variety of animals that have stories told about them. It was a whole new experience to listen to these people tell stories of their grandparents and family members that were apart of the boarding schools. Those who got to listen to these elders tell the stories of the animals and first foods and all the traditions that have been passed on generation to generation, it was a great thing to learn that so much effort is being made to protect our traditions and the stories that come with them. 

After roaming the museum I got to walk around the gift shop and it was nice to see these cute little stuffed animals that made noise, and the different purses and stuff they sell that are Pendleton brand. I saw these lighter cases made from cedar and I realized that I know the person who made them, although he might not be the greatest person he taught me how to also make those cases and baskets. After walking around a bit we got to work putting in our data to our spreadsheet and finishing that in time for us to really fast go to the showers because Lovey also had an interview to do. We showered up and went back to camp to finish whatever we had left from the soil tests me, Sergio, Lovey and Leah had to go do the densiometer and very fancy Plant Canopy Integer but me and Sergio had to go back after a bit because we got the pictures mixed up and needed to redo the first non vegetation site that we did. We finished the soil tests then me and Lovey went down to this creek next to the campsite, we tried to climb the log that was sticking out over the creek but we didn't do it in time and had to go back to wait for our pizzas that Monet made at camp with the fancy stove they got. We ate some pizza, then we all cleaned up and went to sit by the fire for smores and to recap and reflect on this week so far. We told stories and listened to each other talk about what we want to do in the future. I want to take all the knowledge given to us, by not only the people on this trip but those I met before and will meet after, and give it to the next generations but I also want to be one of the people who preserve our first foods and restore nature back to where it should be. I want to change the way people see the environment and give to them what I always wanted which is to have the opportunity to grow up with forests and rivers and streams and all of that good stuff, and to hopefully save plants and animals by doing my part to make an impact. Thank you for reading this very long rant, please stay hydrated and enjoy these pictures I took here at Harris Park and the museum.