Notre Dame and CSKT seek students for summer program

A Field Environmental Biology Program for Native American students offered by University of Notre Dame with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department is currently soliciting applicants for the next two summers.

This program, which is endorsed by the Montana and Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council offer tuition, housing, travel, a $2,500 stipend, and six college credits per summer according to Dr. Page Klug of Notre Dame University.

According to Rich Janssen, Acting Natural Resources Department Head, this program offers native students the opportunity to study or complete a research project in the Midwest, then on the Flathead Indian Reservation in the span of two summers.

Coordinated with the Natural Resources Department, students will aid the Tribes in viable and needed research projects in the future.

"We are still in the early stages of determining, what, if any, current or new projects these students can help us with or complete on their own," said Janssen. "Our goal is to work cooperatively and positively with Notre Dame as we have with Salish Kootenai College, the University of Montana, Montana State University, as well as many others."

"Education has always been a key factor in properly managing our resources for future generations. If we can help, the better off our resources are in the long run."

Janssen went further to say that any research project will need to be approved by the Tribal Council if it is studying or researching any aspect of our resources within our control or jurisdiction.

Further information and application materials can be found at the UNDERC website http://underc.nd.edu; from Dr. Michael Cramer, UNDERC-East Assistant Director by email to: mcramer@nd.edu; or Dr. Page Klug, UNDERC-West Assistant Director by email to: pklug@nd.edu. Application deadline is Friday, November 5, 2010 and notification of acceptance will be provided by Friday, December 4, 2010. Applicants are expected to be present for the duration of course. You can also contact Rich Janssen, Acting NRD Department Head at: richj@cskt.org or by calling Janssen at 675-2700, ext. 7260.

To be eligible, a student must be of Native American descent, minimum of sophomore standing in an accredited college, and planning to obtain a 4-year degree in the environmental sciences. Admission based on past academic performance and statement of purpose.