My name is Jared Dick and I am currently spending my third consecutive summer as an Uu-a-thluk intern. My mother is Tracey Watts from Hupacasath and my father is Jason Dick from Tseshaht.
I am going into my fourth year at the University of Victoria (UVIC) where I am working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. My major is in biology with a marine concentration and I am also working towards a minor in environmental studies. As this summer comes to a close, so does my internship and I find it to be the perfect time to reflect on my experience.
This summer’s internship has once again provided me with a unique opportunity to participate in a large amount of projects and activities associated with natural resource management among Nuu-chah-nulth Nations.
Being part of the Uu-a-thluk team is exhilarating and gratifying. Each day that I go to work, I am excited and grateful to be able to do my part in working towards the sustainable management of the resources in our territories and to ensure their continued bounty for the future generations. This understanding of the importance of careful management for the future is at the core of my beliefs and the traditional beliefs of Nuu-chah-nulth people.
During my previous year at UVIC, I had much more choice in my selection of courses than previous years because I had finished the core courses required to attain a Bachelor of Science degree. This allowed me to take many biology and environmental studies courses that are closely associated with my work for Uu-a-thluk.
One course that I found particularly useful on the job was Genetics. During my work with the Somass fishery and Nitinat hatchery, I heard many of the concepts and terminology introduced in my Genetics class. Genetics has become a significant tool in fisheries management and I was able to see how it can be applied to manage a fishery and to study the interactions between wild and hatchery produced salmon.
Another class that was closely linked to my internship was Ichthyology, which is the study of fish. This class went over many topics, such as fish morphology (the study of their form and structures), physiology, and behavior—all important concepts to consider when managing a fishery.
This class even had a portion focused primarily on the human impacts on the various fisheries all over the globe, and how “fisheries science” is used to manage and address these impacts. It was very satisfying to see how the concepts I learned at school relate to the work of Uu-a-thluk and how I was also able to expand on these ideas with the extraordinary mentoring I received from Uu-a-thluk biologists and staff.
Not only is the Uu-a-thluk internship important because of the amount of learning it provides, it’s also just straight up fun. Throughout the summer, I get to travel and work outdoors all over the island and visit many Nuu-chah-nulth territories. I love being outside, especially in the summer. Having a job where much of the work is out in the field makes it feel like time is just flying by.
I’d like to end my reflection by saying a huge thank you to Uu-a-thluk and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council for giving me another thrilling summer. I will forever carry the knowledge I have gained to further pursue my career in natural resource management.
Klecko klecko.
