For a select group of Arizona students, the summer of 2000 was not just a vacation, it was a unique opportunity for them to explore career paths and learn about the diverse cultures of Arizona's Gila Valley. Six students who participated in the Southeastern Arizona Cultural Internship Program had a chance to learn about jobs in both government and industry while also earning money for college. This highly successful program, now in its third year, is sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), City of Safford, Graham County, Phelps Dodge Corporation, and San Carlos Apache Tribe.

Each year, the intern selection process begins in April, when students submit their applications. Selection is a competitive process, with the program open only to graduating seniors or juniors about to enter their senior year. A 3.2 grade-point average, a recommendation from a student advisor, and submission of a 200-word essay explaining why the student wishes to participate are required. Angela Stanley and Theron Olivar of Bylas, Stanley Scott of Morenci, Ashley McCullar and Nathan Jones of Safford, and Kelly Soto of Thatcher, Arizona, were selected as the Summer 2000 Southeastern Arizona Cultural Interns.

The students' four-week internship was devoted to work with the City of Safford, Graham County, Phelps Dodge Mining Company, San Carlos Apache Nation, and BLM Safford Field Office. For their efforts, interns received a $600 stipend and a $500 scholarship for college. Not only did students see what it was like to work for these employers, they had a rather unique opportunity to experience the social fabric of three distinct areas: Morenci, a mining community; the Gila Valley, an agricultural and services-based community; and the San Carlos Apache Nation, with its mix of traditional and modern culture.

In May, selected students and their families attended an orientation session to learn the details of the program and hear from the previous summer's interns. "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" is how Coordinator Kim Chae described the internship. "How many people get to go inside a dam, ride a horse on an Apache reservation, or witness a flight with tens of thousands of bats?" asked Chae. "Well, these kids got to do it all, and in just one month!" Chae, a teacher on summer break, was hired by program sponsors to provide overall leadership during the internship.

Throughout the month, participants lived with host families in the three communities to provide yet another way to experience cultural diversity. Chae, who coordinated evening activities for the youths, explained, "I really wanted the kids to bond to each other, and I think we did that." One of the goals of the internship is to develop a better understanding of cultural differences--and similarities--among participating youth, and thus build bridges that could carry into their adult lives. Breaking down barriers among various interest groups that might litigate difficult issues--water rights, environmental concerns, social issues, and land ownership--is another goal of the program.

The first week of the Summer 2000 internship was split between time at the City of Safford and Graham County offices. Dr. Carl Vessels, City of Safford Administrative Services Director, led interns through an exercise that required them to role-play as three City Council members and three City employees. The students debated issues and budget scenarios and, in the end, reached agreement. Students also certainly experienced "ups and downs"--literally. During outdoor activities hosted by the City and County, they were both lowered into a manhole and hoisted up to a powerline in a "cherry picker."

A week at the Phelps Dodge (PD) Morenci Mine dealt with the environmental and technological complexities of operating a copper mine. After a VIP tour of the mine, students were given various job-shadowing assignments with PD staff. The students participated in a water-sampling exercise and assisted PD's mining reclamation division by planting mesquites and other native plant species. They traveled to PD's Safford office, where senior environmental engineer John Korolsky provided an overview of mining's benefits and impacts, explaining some of the tradeoffs involved and the environmental stewardship that is necessary. Students learned to use maps as a tool for evaluating the economic feasibility of mineral extraction, and calculated haulage profiles to determine transportation costs.

The San Carlos Apache Nation provided different experiences for the male and female interns. The boys utilized a traditional Apache sweat lodge, a practice reserved only for the men of the Tribe. While they were there, the girls learned to prepare traditional foods, complete with gathering of wood for the fire. And, as custom demanded, girls were not allowed to consume the meal until those in the sweat lodge had eaten!

The students' tribal visit also included an inside look at Coolidge Dam, a horseback ride at Point of Pines, a tour of the Black River Pump Station, and a trip to Bonita Creek. The headwaters of Bonita are located in the mountains on the reservation, while the lower 15 miles cross public lands within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. Water rights and boundary issues that involve the program's sponsors — the City of Safford, Graham County, San Carlos Apache Tribe, BLM, and Phelps Dodge — were discussed from the Tribe's political and cultural perspectives. These issues are what had originally led to the creation of the Southeastern Arizona Cultural Internship Program, which was begun in hopes that enhanced dialogue would nurture a better understanding among the various interests involved.

The fourth and final week of the internship began on June 26 at the BLM Safford Field Office. Field manager Bill Civish welcomed the group, then program manager Lynn Saline provided an overview of the BLM's resource programs. Resource specialists discussed a variety of topics, including water inventory and water quality management, fossils and the paleontology program, range and watershed management, lands and realty, recreation and wilderness, and fire management.

Hydrologist Del Molitor led a field trip to lower Bonita Creek, where he stressed the importance of water and its relation to other natural resources. Students assisted with macroinvertebrate sampling, instream flow and water quality measurements, and pH tests. Tuesday focused on cultural resources, with archaeologists Anna Rago and Gay Kinkade leading a daylong trip to Turkey Creek to work on an interpretive trail to a cliff dwelling and learn about the cultural resources program. Wednesday was job-shadowing day; students spent the day with specialists in their area of interest, learning about BLM jobs and getting hands-on experience. Engineer Ron Peru, outdoor recreation planner Tom Schnell, and fire management specialist Larry Humphrey mentored students.

On Thursday, the interns traveled to BLM's Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness to learn about wildlife, riparian (streamside) areas, noxious weeds, and threatened and endangered species management from wildlife biologist Ben Robles. Friday, the final day of the four-week program, ended with an awards ceremony and lunch among the cool pines of the Pinaleño Mountains. Students received their stipends and college scholarships for participating in the internship program, and shared memories of their experiences.

A month spent in building new friendships, exploring cultural diversity, and learning about career goals resulted in a 100% satisfaction rating from both the students and sponsors of the 2000 internship program. "Without exception, we noted that the students were excited about the program and very motivated; they demonstrated their interest by asking questions and fully participating in the work projects," commented Lynn Saline, who coordinated BLM's participation in the program. "There's no doubt that this program will continue, and we have already begun planning for next year."

For further information on the Southeastern Arizona Cultural Internship Program, including deadlines and eligible high schools, please contact Anna Rago of BLM's Safford Field Office at Anna_Rago@blm.gov; phone 520-348-4478. For more information on the BLM Safford Field Office, please visit http://safford.az.blm.gov/.