Wonderful news from Bill Hedman, lead archaeologist from the Bureau of Land Management. He says we can bring along two local, native students out to the dig site! This is an incredible opportunity. I've been so excited to make this experience a hands-on one for my students back at Foothills Academy but also to other students and other schools and now we have the chance to involve local students with research in their own backyard!
I have been working with John Erlich of the BLM up in Kotzebue to find suitable students. It's been tough to find local applicants up in Alaska while I'm down here in the lower 48, especially while school is out up in Alaska. John Erlich has been a huge help and contacted the NANA Regional Resource Technician in the area who suggested a couple of 16-year-old students, Tia Adams and Jackie Norton. They will both be Juniors next year. I called their principal, Zoe Theo Haris as a reference and she agreed they'd both be hard workers. I interviewed Jackie on the phone and she said she would be interested in doing a presentation on the radio in Kotzebue after the expedition. I'm having a hard time reaching Tia but I hope she will be interested in taking part as well.
After we found the students, Bill and some other folks at the BLM suggested we bring along an elder as well so they can provide their unique perspective as well. Again John Erlich has been great at finding people. Apparently he has found a man named Stanley who would like to come. I can't wait to meet them all in person!