Johnny Arlee, at right, is one of four Native American tribal elders who visited Dryden earlier this month. Arlee, a Flathead Reservation elder, said the weather forecasting of his ancestors is no longer possible because of global changes in the atmosphere. I am very impressed with their knowledge and willingness to share with us. Fourth grade teacher Gerald White, of the Chief Leschi School in Puyallup, Wash., said the workshop broadened his understanding of Native American culture.
Elders retold tales of their families.
In many of those stories were overtones of Native American tribes concern about the impacts of modern society on the environment. Tribes are respectful of the environment and rarely waste resources. But modern nations ignore stewardship of the planet and its resources and make products that create waste, the elders agreed. As a result, the Earth the elders' families knew is disappearing, they said. Teachers asked elders how they predict weather.