SEEDS: Newsletter > Volume 4, Issue 2 - March 2006

SEEDS Highlights

Student Highlight: Angela Loud Bear

My name is Angela Loud Bear and I am from Keshena, Wisconsin located on the Menominee Indian Reservation. I am a graduate of Sherman Indian High School located in Riverside, California and am a recent graduate of Mount Mary College (MMC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I recently applied to graduate programs at the University of Wisconsin Madison, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and University of New Mexico. I would like to conduct my graduate work on the Menominee Reservation, ideally working with wild rice restoration. After the completion of my M.S. degree I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Public Policy at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. My ultimate plans are to become a tribal legislator working to protect and preserve the natural resources on the reservation, sustain the traditional ways of the old ones, and, in general, improve the lives of my people.

My research interests include aquatic ecology, phytoplankton and ethno-botany. My current research project “Characterization of Keshena Lake” is a project that focuses on Keshena Lake, which is culturally significant on the Menominee Reservation. Components of my research project include: taking physical measurements of the lake; biological and nutrient measurements; identification of phytoplankton in the lake; collecting plants to determine species composition in the lake; and investigating traditional uses of the Menominee and tribal legends about the lake.

Prior to enrolling in college I worked with elders in my community to become fluent in Menominee Language. During that experience I discovered the importance of the land, and began my pathway into the field of Ecology. From the creation of the first Menominee person “Aweahseah” from the mouth the Fox River our culture, history, values and traditions have always been dependent on Mother Earth. Therefore, pursuing a career as an Ecologist seemed to be the most logical way I could be a professional and contribute to what I care about the most - the Menominee People. I believe the only way to sustain our people and our way of life is to be proficient and knowledgeable in the traditional way of life as well as the professional scientific world.

Like a lot of people from the reservation I struggled financially and academically. I had the drive and right reasons to attend college, but those two factors really beat my confidence. I constantly wondered if I would make it, if I was crazy for thinking I could move away and be a successful college student. Each semester would go by and I would barely hang on. After participating in the June 2005 SEEDS Field Trip to the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) my educational career and personal life began to fall into place. From each presentation, talk, and field trip, I developed a new game plan on how I could get on the right track and make this happen for me. I made a decision that week that I was going to make it happen, and that I was capable of doing well and moving on in college and my struggles and hard work would pay off in the future. The experiences that week from UMBS were my tool for becoming successful in the field of Ecology. I went back to MMC with direction and confidence, and since then I have been making great accomplishments in my education and career.

Along with my commitment to my educational and career goals, I am certified to instruct Menominee Language and was appointed to serve on the tribe’s Culture Committee. As a student athlete at MMC I represent the softball team as the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Council President.

All of my SEEDS experiences include: UMBS Field Trip, the University of New Mexico Sevilleta LTER Field Trip, and the ESA International Meeting in Merida, Mexico. Each of these activities has given me direction in my life. The professional development gained from participating in the SEEDS program has helped me to form a plan on how to approach my career. The exposure to different aspects in Ecology and varieties of research has allowed me to form an interest for areas that I really care about and want to learn more about. The experience along with the memories of friendships and time with my fellow SEEDS colleagues and staff was equally important. The informal interaction has also played a key role in my development. I think about everyone often and I am truly grateful for what we have shared and I will always remember what the whole SEEDS experience has done for me.