ERWM Intern Hired to Full time Position

Accepting the position and beginning work January 6th, 2004, former Environmental Restoration and Waste Management intern since 1996, Anthony Smith settled into his new office and position as Hanford Cultural Technician II.

“I’ve retired three editors (Ta’c Tito’oqan) and three Presidents (Lewis Clark State College),” laughs Anthony as he talks about his seven years of internship with the Nez Perce Tribe’s Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program. “I think I was even going to school before email.”

As an ERWM Intern, Anthony utilized his artistic skills and computer knowledge as he worked primarily with the Communications Team. Through the years Anthony was instrumental in assisting with the development of the Tribal newspaper (The Tribunal, Tots Tatoken, Táts Tito’oqan Ta’c Tito’oqan), posters and brochures, and most recently ERWM, PACE, Ta’c Tito’oqan and CERT websites. He also assisted with the production of the recent ERWM book, Treaties: Nez Perce Perspectives. In the summer of 2003, Anthony attended training to become a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainer. As another extension of the ERWM Program, Anthony assisted in promoting and instructing the CERT classes throughout the Nez Perce Reservation.

Concerning his internship Anthony states “ Working here (ERWM) made me aware of all the technical and political avenues Tribes have to go through to get something accomplished. It helped me grow, in the sense that, it gave me enough standing to become part of the team to help with tribal interest within the Usual and Accustomed areas of the Nez Perce Tribe.” He adds “I would like to thank ERWM program for taking the time to take me under it’s wing and support me through my educational years.”

Anthony graduated from Lewis Clark State College in the fall of 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Print Technology and a Minor in Nez Perce Language. During his first few years, Anthony also obtained a two-year degree in Graphic Arts from Lewis Clark State College Technical School.

Now with the official title of Hanford Cultural Technician II, which is under the Nez Perce Tribe Natural Resource Department’s Cultural Resource Program, Anthony will be conducting cultural fieldwork, surveying, monitoring and documenting at the usual and accustomed areas. Because his position is also under the ERWM Cultural Resources, Anthony will specifically cover those areas on and around the Hanford Nuclear Site.

“It makes me happy to be able to work here, because not only will I be doing things that relate to culture, which is important to our people, but I will be learning new things about our culture that may have been lost or not spoken of recently. Identity - to our people is important,” Anthony remarks.

Anthony’s hobbies outside of work include powwowing, singing, beading, drawing, painting, and computer graphics.

“It’s what keeps me sane and keeps my mind off of all the frustrations of work.”