Progress 09/01/05 to 08/31/06
Outputs
Objective one of this project stated that the Science and American Indian Studies (AMIS) curricula would be strengthened through the addition of a new course in Ethnobotany. This objective was met in that a new four-credit-hour course in Ethnobotany (BIOS 1800/AMIS 1800) was developed and taught during the summer session of 2006. It is listed in our new 2006-2007 college catalog and cross referenced under both the science and AMIS programs. Objective two stated that the science department would acquire new resources to add to both the library and laboratory references as well as materials and supplies to collect, identify and preserve plants. This objective was met in that a large number of items, including books, maps and videos concerning Ethnobotany and related materials were added to both the library and laboratory reference collections. Also all materials and supplies listed in the grant were purchased and are being used by students and instructor. Objective three
stated that LPTC students will be provided with experiential scientific field learning in the area of Ethnobotany, including both Native American uses and scientific methods of collecting, identifying and preserving plants. This objective was met in that students taking the Ethnobotany course spend three out of the four class hours each day in either the laboratory or the field collecting, identifying and preserving plants. The known uses for each plant that is identified is looked up by the students and discussed. Also each student is required to choose a plant and present both an oral and written report on it. Objective four stated that LPTC students will learn to archive examples of plants once used in Winnebago culture as well as prepare notes focusing on plant uses to create a special addition to the Reservation Plant Collection. This objective was met in that during the Ethnobotany course students pressed some of the plants collected and prepared them for our herbarium (the
Reservation Plant Collection or RPC). Notes on any known local usage were researched, recorded and included with the collection.
PRODUCTS: Products of this grant have been mostly educational in nature. These products included plant additions to our herbarium as well as information on their uses (both locally and with other Native American groups) thus producing a special addition to our herbarium. Both of these products are expected to increase each year that the course is taught. Other products include an extra herbarium cabinet, and added collecting and mounting materials such as plants presses and extra straps, mounting paper, spraymount, and specimen covers. Calipers were also purchased for measuring plant parts to aid in more accurate identification. Also 192 reference items including books, maps and videos were added to both the library and laboratory collections. In addition some binders and plastic inserts were purchased that will allow specific specimens to be showcased in various related courses and laboratory activities.
OUTCOMES: The addition of a laboratory course in Ethnobotany has definitely improved the science and AMIS programs at LPTC. The combining of scientific methodology and cultural knowledge has piqued the interest of many individuals at the college and around the community and thus we anticipate a higher enrollment in the sciences in the future. The addition of laboratory materials and supplies have allowed for added collecting ability and more space for preservation of specific specimens thus producing a culturally important addition to the RPC and some outstanding visual aids for teaching in the new course as well as related courses. The acquisition of the reference material for both the library and the laboratory have allowed our library to develop a whole new and culturally relevant section on Ethnobotany and added some important texts that aid in identification and source materials for both our students and individuals in the community
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Oral dissemination by our students concerning the Ethnobotany course and field trips have been and continue to be an exciting inspiration for other students at the college and people in the community as well as for the instructor. What our students have shared with others has been very positive and is sparking interest in the course, and further research possibilities. Students and community members have begun to volunteer information about plants they remember relatives using. All this interest is expected to bring in more recruitment. Copies of this final report will be made available to interested parties (i.e. Tribal Council, Board of Trustees, etc.) that may request this project's results. An article about the new course is being written for our student newspaper, 'The Scout'.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Through this grant, materials were obtained that have made possible the beginning of our first research grant here at LPTC. This research grant will allow the science department and the college extension department to begin to record information about what plants were used by the Winnebago people here in Nebraska. It also includes a propagation feasibility study. A plant data base and interactive maps using computer technology is also in the planning as well as labs that combine science and computer technology in this area of study.
Impacts
Having a course in Ethnobotany has allowed our science department to offer an exciting course that leads students into both scientific and cultural discovery. The course has enabled our students to become interested in their cultural history and, at the same time, relate it to modern science. This has caused our students to become more interested in science, and thus has begun to bring about more interest from the community in what the college is doing. This, in turn, will allow our college to see a higher recruitment and subsequent enrollment in the sciences. The materials and supplies have enabled our students to do more in collecting, identifying and preserving of local plants, and allowed our science department to begin development of a whole new, specialized section in the RPC. The new library and laboratory resources have enabled members of the community as well as students to more easily identify plants and find culturally relevant information concerning them.
These impacts, along with the field trips and labs associated with this course, have allowed our students to not only learn proper scientific procedures in these areas, but also to make a correlation between their culture and modern science. This has allowed them and others in the community to begin to realize the importance of their culture and their people, not just as contributors in science, but in a modern and diverse world.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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