Article by Adam Flaagan, NRCS Tribal Liaison for Spirit Lake Nation
Photos Courtesy of: Jessica Fish, Director of Natural Resources Department of Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) and Adam Flaagan – Tribal Liaison for Spirit Lake Nation, NRCS

FORT TOTTEN, N.D. — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service held the 13th Annual Conservation Day Camp at Spirit Lake Nation on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in collaboration with the Spirit Lake Tribe, Spirit Lake Nation Fish and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Cankdeska Cikana Community College. The Spirit Lake Tribe’s annual camp has been paused for more than five years due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

The camp was an opportunity for all area youth to spend time outdoors learning about natural resources in a structured environment. Activities were held at USFWS White Horse Hill National Game Preserve and CCCC Campus. All the activities were taught by trained professionals and geared toward helping youth attain a better appreciation for nature while participating in a fun, outdoor learning environment with hands-on activities. 

Open to all area youth entering grades 4–12 in Fall 2025, the camp was free of charge. Lunch was sponsored by Ann Wadswoth, Executive Assistant to the President of CCCC, and the CCCC Café, and transportation was provided from Spirit Lake Recreation Centers courtesy of Tate Topa Tribal School. Twenty-one students attended and rotated through engaging activity stations in small groups throughout the day.

White Horse Hill National Game Preserve

• WORLD OF WATER - Older youth had the opportunity to learn the basics and safety of Kayaking instructed by James Taylor, USFWS, while younger youth had an introduction to Fishing and Fish Casting with Robert Graywater, Jr., SLNFWD.  Both age groups collected aquatic invertebrates and discussed how they are good indicators of Water Quality and the condition of natural bodies of water, lakes, and streams, with Matt Seufert, NRCS Minnewaukan Field Office, and Hunter Berg, NRCS Devils Lake Field Office.
• INTO THE WILD - All ages learned about animal’s native to North Dakota along with significance to Native American culture. Participants had the chance to see, touch, and examine furs, skeletons, antlers, and other unique features of these animals, guided by Jeff Desjarlais, NRCS Tribal Liaison Turtle Mountain, and Brandon Hanson, NRCS Devils Lake Area Office. Instructors and staff introduced the basics of archery in a controlled environment with verified instructors to all youth in attendance and had a chance to practice their skills at designated targets.  Archery instruction was led by Colleen Graue, USFWS, Robert Graywater Jr., SLNFWD, Carol Greywater, CCCC, and Dustin Brodina, NRCS-Devils Lake Area Office.

Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) Campus

• TRIBAL CULTURE – Tribal Elder Oliver Gourd Sr. shared stories about the Dakota people and importance of the land and Bison to the Native American culture. Youth were introduced to the Dakota language with handouts describing common names and pronunciation of the language. Gourd explained the Medicine Wheel at CCCC and its 16 teachings about each direction and what each part of the medicine wheel signifies. Gourd also demonstrated Smudging—a sacred ritual that involves burning herbs like sage and sweetgrass to cleanse spaces, objects, and individuals of negative energy—and explained its connection to tribal beliefs about the spirit world during his time with the youth.
• PLENTIFUL PLANTS – Youth learned how to identify native plants, their uses, and importance in land management. Guided by Yolanda Schmidt, NRCS Rugby Field Office, and DeAnn Schneider, NRCS Lakota Field Office, older participants explored these plants firsthand along the scenic trail paths at CCCC, deepening their connection to the natural environment.
• DIGGING IN THE DIRT – Younger participants explored the field of soil science by using field tools to extract soil samples and examine soil profiles. Participants received a brief overview of how North Dakota soils were formed and how they related to soils at sample sites along with how many different types of soils are in North Dakota.  Soil samples were taken and used in the Tabletop Rainfall Stimulator demonstration showing water movement in healthy soils. The young individuals explored a variety of soil types through hands-on demonstrations, learning to identify textures by touch and practicing the “ribbon” method to classify basic soil characteristics. Alan Gulsvig, NRCS Conservation Technician Representative, Devils Lake Area Office and Allyson Hanson, NRCS Devils Lake Field Office led the activity.
• TUNED INTO TECHNOLOGY –  Older youth received a hands-on introduction to engineering survey equipment and its field applications, guided by Tory Nygard, NRCS Devils Lake Area Office. Future stewards also witnessed aerial drones in action, thanks to a demonstration by Ramsey County Emergency Management and their Mobile Search and Rescue Unit. Pilots Chris Jaeger, Emergency Manager, and Officer Christon Dallas of the Lake Region Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Team led the showcase. 

To close out the day, each young participant received a fishing rod courtesy of the Spirit Lake Tribal Social Services – Tiwahe Initiative (ti-wah-hay, meaning 'Family' in Dakota), along with tackle boxes generously provided by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Special thanks to both organizations for their thoughtful donations to the attendees.

Thank you to all the attendees for making it a fun-filled day, and to the dedicated volunteers and staff from the CCCC Natural Resources Department—including Director Jessica Fish and Group Guides Dr. Krystal Caldwell, Taylor Leben, and Starla Littlewind—for their invaluable support and leadership. Special appreciation goes to Colleen Graue, USFWS, Robert Greywater Jr., SLNFWD, and Jill Haakenson for their insight and efforts in helping bring this event back to life and making it possible. We’re already looking forward to next year’s Spirit Lake Nation 14th Annual Conservation Day Camp!