There were several employees at the Tribal OEP (Office of Environmental Protection) when we visited on September 26, 2017. Mike Durkin arranged for students from Tiospa Zina Tribal School to go observe and learn about environmental protection.
We learned that mold can grow in your home. You should use the fan to ventilate your house while you are taking your shower. Keep it on to get the moisture out. You can also open the window.
One of the employees tests the water in ten lakes to see if it is contaminated. There can be algae blooms when too much fertilizer runs off the land into the lake. There can also be chemicals in the water as well as e coli from cow manure. E coli is bacteria in poop. If you drink water with e coli in it, you get sick.
Another employee talked about recycling. They have a big blue bin outside the building. We can recycle paper, cans, plastics (1s and 2s), aluminum and cardboard. We also have to watch out for needles because they can have AIDS or drugs on them and you can get sick if you get a poke.
Another employee talked about radon. Radon is a natural gas that comes out of the earth. It can pollute our homes. She used an air quality detector to test how much oxygen is in the air. We breathe out carbon dioxide. We breathe in oxygen.
We asked about the training needed to work for the Office of Environmental Protection. Everyone there needs a high school diploma or GED. Most employees have a bachelor’s degree in science.
Summer Youth Workers can work at the OEP in the summer. But, they usually do not have enough Summer Youth Workers to send to the OEP.
To sum it up, the Office of Environmental Protection takes care of Ina Makace (Mother Earth). Our responsibility is to help to take care of Mother Earth, too.
This Field Research Report was collaboratively written by members of the Employment 4Life Success class. This class is earning English credit while exploring employment options and preparing for life after high school. The co-writers were: Andrew L., Sheldon B., Lannie P., Kenzie B., J’Ronn S. Itancan C. and Sister Patrice C.
