Native Lands- Daniel Hulbert

    I sadly have had little interaction with Native Peoples and have only met a few in passing. This lack of interaction gave me a keen interest in the readings. It was very interesting reading about the intricate Salt Song rituals and how they are important to native peoples. I found it important how fundamental these rituals were to maintaining the social fabric of the Southern Paiute people. That ritual provides them a history that would have otherwise been forgotten. Their oral tradition is fantastically unique and is something that must be understood to fully appreciate native people. 

    I also believe that the incorporation of Native Science in the Tribal environmental protection agencies is an important step in the right direction. The inclusion of the Native People who have lived and worked on this land for thousands of years is simply a logical step. They have important experience in conservation that no doubt will help end devastating problems like overhunting, pesticide abuse, as well as water shortages. Native People have been stripped of their lands and almost all of their Agency to fight for what is rightfully theirs. 

    Native People have the ability to offer us a distinct important view of the environmental problems California faces. It is up to us to protect what is left of their land and to ensure California continues to push the boundary of environmental issues.

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