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Albuquerque District enhances tribal lifestyle with earth-friendly schools
By Dave Harris, public affairs specialist
March 17, 2009
Earth-savvy Navajo tribal members preserve a noble history marked by rich tradition, bravery, skill and wisdom, but not without challenges that the Corps of Engineers works hard to address.
Tribal life experienced setbacks of what one might perceive as a past memory of imposed diminished use of homeland, temporary or obsolete structures, hand-me-down or leftover goods, scarcity of services and meager opportunities for livelihood.
Albuquerque District has joined multi-level efforts to enhance tribal lifestyle by building earth-friendly, "state-of-the-art modern facilities" - sustainable facilities for the Navajo and Zuni tribes, said Frank Parker, resident engineer for the Western Resident Office.
The largest school project for the Navajo Nation will result in a $66 million replacement high school and dormitory for 800 students at the Fort Wingate location, Parker said.
At Crownpoint, another Navajo location, the Western Resident Office team will complete a $38 million school to accommodate 500 students from kindergarten to eighth grade.
The team is also supporting the Zuni Tribe with the construction of a new wastewater treatment lagoon.
Parker pointed out that the Corps, the BIA and the team always strive to incorporate as many sustainable design features as possible into the projects.
The goal is to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - LEED® - Silver certification for environmentally responsible design and construction. Regardless of whether certification is achieved, these facilities incorporate a wealth of sustainable design strategies including daylighting, views, energy efficiency, low-water use, acoustical performance and overall indoor environmental quality.
"Points earned for environment-enhanCing features and energy conservation determine the level of certification awarded," he said.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs provides funding, Parker said, and while BIA engages in most negotiations with tribal governing councils, the resident office staff has numerous discussions with the school principals, school boards, utility entities and facility maintenance teams.
Blaine Kemsley, program manager, said overall in the $250 million program the district has worked on a dozen or more BIA projects, including 10 new schools and smaller projects involving fire protection and other life-safety issues p,aramount on the minds of those involved with housing and educating children.
He said the district strives for a good working relationship with BIA and has seen a number of areas improve over the last eight years or so, and continues to seek methods and practices that will enhance that relationship. BIA and the Corps have "differing approaches, often with competing requirements" and guidelines and the agencies work hard to try to mesh the two perspectives.
Kemsley was preparing for a late October deployment to the Gulf Region and has shared program manager duties with Richard Gatewood, who now will take over sole responsibility.
Even though the BIA takes the lead on most issues up front, any work on behalf of tribes requires that design and construction teams meticulously follow the Corps Tribal Policy Principles.
The guidelines require parties at all levels - among other connecting dots - to recognize tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship, involve tribes in pre-decision consultation, fulfill federal trust responsibilities and support self-reliance and economic-capacity building, according to Ron Kneebone, Albuquerque District's tribal liaison officer.
"The tribes own the land," Kneebone said. "Instead of telling them what we're going to do, we are asking them for their vision for the finished project."
Kemsley added insight to working with the tribes, which must take into account cultural differences and sensitivities. Corps team members have attended cultural awareness sessions to better understand the specific needs oft he Native American customer.
"Tribes build on their history and think of the future as a continuation of the past," he said. "One's dealings with the tribe in the past, depending on whether one's actions were wrong or right, can be devastating to the relationship or held to one's honor. There are many layers of culture that need consideration."
He told of one breach of cultural awareness when he held a review conference meeting with tribal members. Fifteen minutes into the meeting, after introductions and statement of purpose, a tribal woman spoke up. "What about the prayer?" And so Kemsley suspended the agenda and the woman led in prayer.
- "I said 'Amen,' even though I didn't understand what she prayed in the Navajo language."
The original intent of the BIA / Corps relationship was to train BIA team members to eventually take over the Corps design and construction role, Kemsley said. "Their understanding, experience and expertise are tremendously better than they once were, and I think we're much closer to the day when BIA takes over.
"The work is challenging and very rewarding, working on projects that contribute to the education of children," he said. "There is always something new and different - very fulfilling. There are difficult challenges to completing the program the way it's supposed to be done."
While the projects are not without challenges, Parker said, "It's normal for any construction, and none are unique to this program - weather, site conditions, not enough funds or time to do everything the customer desires. We deal with day-to-day problems and get the job done."
While the Corps doesn't have primary responsibility for groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies, the district always participates, Kemsley concluded. Cultural awareness and respect for tradition are critical to the ongoing relationship between the agencies. Observing these practices helps non-Native team members understand the perception of the importance of their facilities.
He said groundbreaking ceremonies often include prayers by several pastors for different aspects of the project. "And a medicine man must always be present."
Parker emphasized the importance of teamwork in completing the projects.
Ask him which individual stands out in making it happen, and he has a ready
answer:
"Everybody here makes a difference."