FALCON Student Presentations
Panel 4: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2009
NIFA Waterfront Centre (Room 1410)
1.
Title: Processing of Prairie Cord Grass (Spartina pectinata) into Plastics for Use as Reinforcements
Presenters: Margaret Azure
Institution/organization: Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Abstract:
Prairie Cord Grass (Spartina pectinata), also known as slough grass, is a warm season perennial
plant, which grows to about 1-3m tall, and is strongly rhizomotous, with tough, scaly rhizomes. The
prairie cord grass (CG) is one of the tallest grasses, also having a thick stem base and considerable
cellulose (~60 wt. %), which may be of potential interest as fillers in polymeric composites.
The objective of this study was to investigate the most advantageous processing methods for
introducing CG as a reinforcement in common thermoset resins. It is hypothesized that CG can be a
useful fiber for reinforcement for a variety of plastics through the appropriate processing methods. In the
current investigation, three thermoset composite processing methods were assessed for their effectiveness
in processing various forms of CG.
2.
Title: Water Quality on the Navajo Reservation
Presenters: Garry Jay
Institution/organization: Diné College
Abstract:
My presentation will be on drinking waters that were sampled within (7) seven communities over
the past summer. The goal of the study was to inform our local communities about any contamination
that may exist, and to identify and to assess our groundwater that includes spring water or nearby
windmill pumped water. The objectives of the study were to raise awareness of any issues and possible
solutions to assess the effects of any contamination within the general area. Our water quality projects’
objective is also to gather data that includes the levels of arsenic, lead, uranium, mercury, fluoride and ecoli (bacteria), and to share these information to the community for their inputs, suggestions, ideas and
recommendations to our local chapter government and the Navajo Nation resource committee. The
project hopes to identify any potential risk in health related to the Navajo families living in remote areas,
and to expand the community's knowledge regarding water quality issues for future possible solutions.
3.
Title: Apsaalooke Tours
Presenters: Hubert Noel Two Leggins, Cassandra Walks, and Olivia Rose Williamson
Institution/organization: Little Big Horn College
Abstract:
The presentation will begin by discussing the Manifest Destiny philosophy of the American
people, in which they believed they were destined to spread their culture and their way of life which
eventually required military forces to “protect” its citizens. The resistance to treaties, the occupation of
settlers, and opposition to the military by some tribes resulted in battles such as at the Little Big Horn will
be the introduction of the presentation, then into the Battle of the little big horn as they go into details
about the Reno-Benteen battle site.
The Battle of the little big horn is a popular chapter in American history. The national monument
gives credence to the fascination and myths associated with General George Armstrong Custer and his
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famous 7th Cavalry not to mention famous Indian leaders such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Two
Moons. The Little Big Horn College-Institute for Micro-Business Development acquired a concession
with the national park service in 1995. The program recruits students primarily those who are History
majors, as guides. These recruits are trained in “Historical interpretation,’ before they are contracted on
payroll. We abide by contractual stipulations to join annual park service Interpretative techniques
training, for customer service, first aid, as well as typical employee/employer rules for dependability,
schedule adherence, etc. the guided interpretive motorized tours are consistent with the purposes and
values for which the park was established. Knowledge gained by the tour guides enhances opportunities
for all ages of visitors to enjoy the park, while providing visitors with a greater understanding of those
events which led up to the battle. After completing a successful tourism season tour guides are offered
positions with the National Park Service. In the fifteen (15) years of concession, nine (9) students have
been permanently employed by the national park service.
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FALCON Student Presentations
Panel 5: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2009
NIFA Waterfront Centre (Room 1410)
1.
Title: Potential Impacts of the Proposed Kv Transmission upon Heritage Resources within the Leech
Lake Reservation
Presenters: Marie Lowry
Institution/organization: Leech Lake Tribal College
Abstract:
HDR Engineering and Rural Utility Service (RUS) are designing a Kv transmission line that
would go through the Leech Lake Reservation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
deemed this proposed line necessary to fill the gaps in the power grid between Grand Rapids and Bemidji
Minnesota. In accordance with various environmental laws and regulations, such as the National
Environmental Policy act of 1969, any project of this size must have at least one alternate route.
Additionally, tribal consultation is mandated by state and federal laws when a project will impact tribal
lands or ceded territory. We question which of three possible Kv transmission line routes would have the
least amount of negative impact on cultural sites within the Leech Lake Reservation. Our methods used
existing surveys, site data, and the bathymetry of the paleo landscape, and a predictive model of each
route. The results of our research concluded that areas with well drained to moderately well drained soils
had a higher probability of holding cultural resources. With this knowledge we predict that the northern
corridor would require the most intense field investigation, and should be excluded as an option. Large
portions of routes one and two have previously been surveyed and contain pipeline corridors where the
land has already been disturbed so either of these two routes would be appropriate for installation of the
Kv Transmission line.
2.
Title: Alberta Clipper Pipeline Spill Model
Presenters: Supaya Therriault
Institution/organization: Leech Lake Tribal College
Abstract:
Enbridge Energy has experienced at least two pipeline oil spills on or near the Leech Lake
Reservation within the past ten years. Because there is a potential of another spill, and given the sensitive
nature of the geology of the Leech Lake Reservation, we asked what would be the direct damage in the
event of an oil spill at a specific wetland adjacent to Cass Lake, near the city of Cass Lake. We used
Geographical Information Systems technology, along with existing data for soils types, flow rate,
elevation, unconfined aquifers height and depth. The results of our research suggest that a large
depression is present near the area of concern. The data also suggests this depression will hold a large
amount of contamination. In addition, the data and other research also suggest that contamination would
occur very slowly.
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3.
Title: American Marten Student Intern Research
Presenters: Karl Habeck
Institution/organization: Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College
Abstract:
The American Marten Student Intern Research presentation will include descriptions of field
methods used in the study, including; motion sensing camera surveys, small mammal trapping surveys
and vegetative plot surveys. Also, the presentation will include narration of intern personal experiences
and reflections of fieldwork conducted over the first year of the project.
While the Marten Project was developed to study the influences of forest management practices
on the prey base of the American marten, it was further intended to provide students with an opportunity
to participate, hands-on, in a cooperative and multifaceted ecological research project.
Finally, the Marten Project was funded through a Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service (CSREES) Tribal College Research Program Grant and is a collaborative effort among
the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College, Purdue University and the Great Lakes Indian Fish
and Wildlife Commission.
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