Nipon (It is Summer) HBMI Natural Resources Department HBMI Natural Resources NON-PROFIT ORG June 2005 U.S. POSTAGE Brenda Commander - Tribal Chief Department PAID Susan Young - Editor PERMIT #2 Houlton Band of Indians HOULTON ME This newsletter is 88 Bell Road printed on Recycled Littleton, ME 04730 chlorine free paper Phone: 207-532-4273 Skitkomiq Nutacomit Fax: 207-532-6883 Earth Speaker

Wabanaki Alternatives to DEET Inside this issue: Each year just as the others feel by using DEET products Alternatives to DEET…………. 1 weather turns nice here in you are “spreading poison on your Skywatching - Meteor Showers... 2 Northern the black skin”. Whatever your feelings are about Meteor Watching Tips………… 2 flies, mosquitoes, midges, DEET there are alternatives available. no-see-ums, horse and deer flies awaken If you choose to use commercial repel- Slow Down There’s Moose to drive us indoors or straight to the lents including DEET etc., please refer Around………………………... insect repellent. But which one should to the precautions listed on page 6 to Envirothon 2005 ……………… 3 you use? Ask twenty people and you’ll help you use them safely. Meet the Summer Techs ……… 4 get at least twenty answers. Word Search Puzzle …………... 4 There is a natural alternative to some of these DEET products produced by Maine’s 11 Most Un-Wanted Years ago in some parts of the country, Aquatic Plants ………………… when mosquito season started, states and a Maliseet- woman named Alison Lewy. Her product Avoiding Ticks & Lyme Disease. 6 towns, employed sprayer trucks to drive through the neighborhoods spraying Lewey’s Eco-Blend is a 100% natural Using Insect Repellents Safely . . 6 DDT into storm drains and ditches. In product that is clinically proven to Word Search Answers Become LakeSmart……………. 7 recent years the news has reported on repel biting insects for up to 4 hours.

Thirteen Maliseet Moons ……... 7 aerial sprayings of Malathion and BT - Lewey’s combines “Native herbal R G M N B V N O S E E U M C C M U E E S O N V B N M G R wisdom and a respect for the environ-

Calling All Artists Calling All Artists ……………... 8 Bacillus Thurigiensis to combat West N I S O M E Q E H S S A Z X X Z A S S H E Q E M O S I N Nile disease. ment.” Lewey’s Eco-Blends provides Word Search Answers ………… 8

The Southern Aroostook Cultural protection from 22 different kinds of Arts Project (SACAP) is host- K J T S E R O F H G F S D A But what about personal insect repellent? insects: Mosquitoes - Ticks - Fleas - TELEPHONE LISTING ing an art show in their Blue So many people swear by Avon’s Skin- Spiders - Horseflies - Ants -Chiggers

Moon Gallery entitled “The Y A P O I U Y T Y E S O O M (207) 532-4273 So-Soft that Avon has produced an insect -Water-ticks - Black flies - Bees, wasps Palette of Aroostook: E H N I W E M A L W E S R R 1-800-564-8524 (ME) repellent called Skin -So- Soft Bug Guard -Sand flies - Hornets - Midges Para- Plus. Others swear by Old Woodsman, a sites - Gnats - No-see-ums. For more

Celebrating Our Ethnic 1-800-545-8524 Diversity”. Local artisans R A T S W E R T F Y U S I E DEET free pine tar concoction, while information about this product and

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING others are true fans of Cutter or Off where to find it check out are encouraged to share P Q K U S S O C E L P E O H

their vision of ethnic diversity in “The County”. Sharri Venno - ext. 215 products. No one repellent works for www.buzzoff.us S Z H A S R T D F S M G H S S H G M S F D T R S A H Z S FORESTRY everyone, so how do you make the right

The show will kick off with a reception on Friday choice? In recent years there has been a A new clothing line called Buzz-Off by August 5, 2005 and will run through September O A M Q L M N B I V C Q X I David Lombard - ext 220 lot of discussion regarding the ingredient Maryed International Inc. has recently

2005. REAL ESTATE DEET (N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). been introduced. This clothing is im- F X A C U F R O G O H V Q B B Q V H O G O R F U C A X F pregnated with pyrethrins, a man-made For more information contact the SACAP store Tony Tomah - ext 221 DEET was originally developed in 1946

form of the natural insect repellent Z A S Q S D F G H G I J A K K A J I G H G F D S Q S A Z to help troops during World War II Visions at 66 Main Street, Houlton or by calling WATER RESOURCES

532-9119 or via email at [email protected] survive insect infested war zones. It was derived from the chrysanthemum. I O S I P U N I S O C P P L L P P C O S I N U P I S O I Ryan Greenlaw - ext 212 not made available commercially until They claim to provide UV and insect

Dave Joseph - ext 216 1957 when the US government decided it protection through 25 washings and

U O O W O O D P E C K E R Y Y R E K C E P D O O W O O U are rain and sweat proof. For more

Cara Ellis - ext 212 was safe for everyone to use. M Q P O S S E S O M W E R T T R E W M O S E S S O P Q M information on this line of clothing see ADMIN. ASST. Some researchers agree that DEET does check out Sue Young - ext 202 not pose a significant health risk while www.buzzoffoutdoorwear.com. Page 7 Page 2 Skitkomiq Nutacomit Summer 2005 Summer 2005 Skitkomiq Nutacomit Skywatching - Meteor Showers Become Lake Smart Many times each year we are treated to a show of point in the constellation When water quality declines, fish habitat stars streaking across the night sky. So just what Perseus. deteriorates, recreational activities suffer, are meteor showers? According to the University property values fall and the local economy What are shooting stars? is effected of Texas, McDonald Observatory meteor showers Shooting stars" and "falling are “ An increase in the number of meteors at a stars" are both names that Many people take their lake front living for 13 Maliseet Moons particular time of year is called a meteor shower. people have used for many granted. Few realize that everything done First Moon (December) hundreds of years to describe on this land directly impacts the lake. Kci Kisuhs (The Long Moon) Comets shed the debris that becomes most me- meteors -- intense streaks of From year round resident to casual day Ponamuwi Kishuhs (Frost Fish Moon) teor showers. As comets orbit the Sun, they shed light across the night sky caused by small bits of inter- users, it is in everyone’s best interest to protect the lake. Nipayimiyamkewi Kisuhs (Christmas Moon) an icy, dusty debris stream along the comet's or- planetary rock and debris called meteoroids crashing and The Maine Department of Environmental Protection bit. If Earth travels through this stream, we will burning high in Earth's upper atmosphere. Traveling at (ME-DEP) has begun a program called LakeSmart. This Second Moon (January) see a meteor shower. Depending on where Earth thousands of miles an hour, meteoroids quickly ignite in program sponsors trainings throughout the state each Opolahsomuwehs (Moon of the Whirling Wind) and the stream meet, meteors appear to fall from searing friction of the atmosphere, 30 to 80 miles above summer that teach homeowners how to beautify and a particular place in the sky, maybe within the the ground. Almost all are destroyed in this process; the increase their property value while protecting and improv- Third Moon (February) neighborhood of a constellation. rare few that survive and hit the ground are known as ing lake water quality. Homeowners are taught how to Piyatokonisuwi Kisuhs (When Spruce Tips Fall) meteorites. prevent erosion, plant vegetation to help soak up runoff, Meteor showers are named by the constellation pump septic systems, stabilize ditches and driveways, and Fourth Moon (March) from which meteors appear to fall, a spot in the When a meteor appears, it seems to "shoot" quickly minimize impervious surfaces such as pavement, patios Toqasqoni Kisuhs (First Spring Moon) sky astronomers call the radiant. For instance, the across the sky, and its small size and intense brightness and compacted lawns. radiant for the Leonid meteor shower is located in might make you think it is a star. If you're lucky enough Homeowners can also have their property evaluated for a Fifth Moon (April) the constellation Leo. The Perseid meteor shower to spot a meteorite (a meteor that makes it all the way to LakeSmart award by contacting the Maine DEP or their Ponatomuwi Kisuhs (Egg Laying Moon) is so named because meteors appear to fall from a the ground), and see where it hits, it's easy to think you local Soil and Water Conservation District. The property just saw a star "fall." will be evaluated on the basis of 4 categories: Sixth Moon (May) Siqonomequwi Kisuhs (Gaspereaux Moon) Upcoming Meteor Showers With Active Displays- 2005 • Road, Driveway and Parking areas

Name Peak Dates # per Direction Speed • Structures and septic systems Seventh Moon (June) hour & Time • Lawn, Recreation Area and footpaths Niponi Kisuhs (Summer Moon) Delta Aquarids July 28-29 15-25 South 1-3 am slow, long paths • Shorefront and beach areas Perseids Aug. 11-13 50-100 Northeast 2 - 4 am Very swift, rich display Eighth Moon (July) If the property exceeds the criteria in these four areas, the Apsqe Kisuhs (Feather Shedding Moon) Orionids Oct. 21-22 15-25 South 2-4 am swift streaks property owner is eligible to receive a personalized award South Taurids Nov. 2-4 10-20 South 1 - 3 am Very slow bright plaque and they may obtain signs to denote their Ninth Moon (August) LakeSmart property. Kopuwahci Kisuhs (Moon in Which the Leaves North Taurids Nov. 12-14 10-20 South 12 - 2 am slow fireballs Begin to Fall) Leonids Nov. 17-18 25-50 S/Southeast 4 - 6 am very swift Free LakeSmart Training Sessions Tenth Moon ( September) Geminids Dec. 13-14 50-100 Overhead 1-3 am Medium Summer ‘05 Mustewi Kisuhs (Moose Calling Moon) Ursids Dec. 22-23 15-25 North all night Medium Waterboro June 11, 2005 (Session N0523) Eleventh Moon (October) Presque Isle June 18, 2005 (Session N0522) Wikewi Kisuhs (Salmon Spawning Moon) Meteor Watching Tips Belgrade June 9, 2005 (Session N0524) • Find a place with a clear view of the sky Twelfth Moon (November) Farmington July 23, 2005 (Session N0525) Kuwaqonihkewi Kisuhs (Harvest Moon) • Pull out lawn or lounge chairs or simply lie on the ground looking towards the sky Princeton August 6, 2005 (Session N0526) • Wear warm clothing and bring a blanket or sleeping bag. Even in summer late night Thirteenth Moon Sessions run from (:00 am to 2:30pm temperatures tend to be cool. Skicinuwi Kisuhs (Sacred Earth Moon) Contact J.E.T.C.C. at 207-253-8020 to register or via Mail • Bright moonlight can reduce your visibility, making only the brightest meteors visible. at PO Box 487 Scarborough, ME 04070-0487 Source: Montague Chamberlain , For more information on meteors check out http://comets.amsmeteors.org/meteors/calendar.html Maliseet Vocabulary, 1899 Page 6 Skitkomiq Nutacomit Summer 2004 Summer 2005 Skitkomiq Nutacomit Page 3 Avoiding Ticks and Lyme Disease Slow Down, Envirothon 2005 On Wednesday May 18, 2005, As summer approaches and we begin spending more • Inspect yourself, your children and There’s Moose time outdoors we need to think about ticks and Lyme pets upon leaving a tick prone area. Littleton’s Southern Aroostook disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Ticks are hard to see, so take your Agricultural Museum served as this Atlanta reports that in 1999, 16, 273 cases of Lyme time. Adult ticks are often smaller Around! year’s county Envirothon. Ten teams representing six county high disease were reported in the . Lyme dis- than a sesame seed. We’ve all heard the story about ease has become the leading tick-borne illness in the schools competed against one another hoping to • If you discover a tick, DON”T PANIC! Studies the “stupid” moose standing in US. Don’t let Lyme disease chase you back indoors, win a chance to compete at the State and later the show that infected ticks do not usually transmit the the middle of the road. Well it’s that time of year again National competition. with a few precautions, Lyme disease is preventable. organism that causes Lyme Disease with in the first and the moose are on the move, so it’s our turn to be The Envirothon has been called the World’s • Ticks are most active from April - October. Black 24 hours of attachment. the “smart” ones. legged-ticks, sometimes called deer ticks are most Largest Environmental Education competition. It’s • To remove a tick imbedded in your skin, do not • Pay attention to Roadside Warning signs for moose an outdoor hands-on learning experience for high commonly found in the northeast United States. & deer crossings. They frequent wooded areas and fields and are grasp it by the abdomen and pull. You may school students. The teams were tested on their more common around homes and buildings in rural squeeze its fluids into your skin, which increases • Drive safely all the time, no matter where you are. knowledge of soils, Forestry, Wildlife, Aquatics and or secluded areas. They are rarely found living the chances for infection. Use fine-tipped tweezers Stay alert for animals along the roadsides or in the this year’s current issue, Managing The Cultural indoors, unless attached to family pets. to grasp the tick by the head next to the skin and roadway. Landscape including a team oral presentation. This slowly pull backwards. Working slowly permits the year’s County top honors went to Easton High • When entering a tick-infested area, consider using tick to withdraw its mouthparts so they do not • Slow down, especially when it’s dark, raining or School - Team 1, Hodgdon High School (SAD 70) an insect repellent designed to be applied to your detach and remain in the skin and become foggy. Team 1 and the Caribou Alternative School. clothing instead of your skin. infected. Once the tick has been removed, cleanse • Moose & deer often travel in small herds, if one Andrea Newman of the Southern Aroostook Soil the area well with soap and water. You may want • Wear long sleeves and pants and consider light crosses the road, look for others. and Water Conservation District (SASWCD) coor- to disinfect the bite site with alcohol or apply an colored clothing that will make it easier to spot When a moose is standing on or near the roadway, use dinated this year’s event with help and participation antibiotic cream. ticks. It is also a good idea to tuck pant cuffs into extreme caution. from the: your boots or socks. For more information about preventing Lyme disease • Slow way down • Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians • Walk in the center of hiking paths and trails and try or to learn it’s symptoms contact the • Do not try to drive around the moose • Maine Association of Conservation Districts to avoid marshy woodland and grassy areas. Lyme Disease Foundation at http://www.lyme.org or the Center for Disease Control (CDC) at • Stay in your vehicle, do not get out and try to drive • St. John Valley Soil & Water Conservation http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme the animal off the road or honk your horn. This District (SWCD) will aggravate the moose, make him unpredictable • Central Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation Using Insect Repellents Safely and put you and others in danger. District (CASWCD) If a crash is unavoidable: • So. Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation EPA recommends the following precautions • Do not spray in enclosed areas. Do not use near • Put on the brakes and steer straight District (SASWCD) when using insect repellents: food. Avoid breathing a repellent spray. • Let up on the brakes just before impact to allow the • The Maine Forest Service (MFS) • Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing • Use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothes front of your vehicle to rise slightly and aim to hit • USDA - Natural Resources Conservation as directed on the product label. Do not apply under the tail end of the animal. Doing so may increase Service (NRCS) clothing. • After returning indoors, wash treated skin with your chances of avoiding the animal all together. soap and water. Wash treated clothing before • Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife • Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated wearing it again. • Duck down to protect yourself from windshield (ME DIF&W) skin. debris. • If you suspect that you or your child are reacting to • Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection • Do not apply to eyes and mouth and apply sparingly a repellent, discontinue use, wash treated skin and For more information refer to the enclosed brochure or (DEP) around ears. Do not spray repellents directly onto check out the Maine Dept. of Transportation website contact your local poison control center. If/when • St. John & Aroostook Resource Conservation face, spray onto hands and then use hands to apply to www.maine.gov/mdot-stage/safety-programs.pdf you go to a doctor, take the repellent with you. & Development Program (RC&D) face. • To get specific medical information about the ac- • J.M. Huber Corporation • Do not allow children to handle the products. Do not tive ingredients in the repellents call the National apply to children’s hands. When applying to children, Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378 or • U Maine - Cooperative Extension Service apply to your own hands then put it on child. check out their website at www.npic.orst.edu

Page 4 Skitkomiq Nutacomit Summer 2004 Summer 2005 Skitkomiq Nutacomit Page 5 Meet the Summer Techs Maine’s 11 Most Un-Wanted Aquatic Plants June is here and that can only mean one thing, Lakes and ponds in Maine, like many other states in the summer techs have arrived. the country are slowly being taken over by a number of non-native aquatic plants. These plants are This year, Rhonda Jewell is returning to work known to cause significant habitat disruption, loss of alongside, Cara Ellis, Dave Joseph and Ryan native plant and animal communities, loss of Greenlaw in the Water Resources Department. property values, reduced fishing and water recreation They will continue to monitor the waters in opportunities. Many of these plants, bear a strong the Meduxnekeag Watershed. resemblance to their native cousins thereby making This year David Lombard will be working with identification difficult. Natural Resource techs Alex London and Melinda Moran. Together they will be work- Unfortunately many of these invaders are spread as a ing to accomplish some of the goals outlined result of human activities, with recreational boating in our tribal wildlife grant like monitoring and topping the list. Tiny fragments of these plants cleaning nesting boxes, and improving wildlife (above) Alex London and transported on boat motors, propellers and trailers habitat. Melinda Moran Natural can easily establish new plant colonies. Just one Resource Technicians plant can infest an entire lake and these plants can If you see them out and about this summer, be survive out of water for days. Vigilance is needed to sure to wave. (right) Rhonda Jewell Water Resource Technician help stem the spread of these plants. Be sure to thoroughly check your boat, trailer and other equip- ment for plant matter when removing it from the water. At different times throughout the boating season volunteers can be found assisting boaters with the inspection, identification and removal of plant matter. Summer Word Search Puzzle Beginning in 2002 it became illegal in Maine to: M Q P O S S E S O M W E R T • Transport ANY aquatic plant on the outside of U O O W O O D P E C K E R Y any vehicle, boat, trailer or other equipment

Find both the English and the Maliseet I O S I P U N I S O C P P L • Launch a watercraft carrying an invasive aquatic Words Hidden in the Puzzle Z A S Q S D F G H G I J A K plant on inland waters [email protected] by calling Mosquito Cossu F X A C U F R O G O H V Q B • Sell, grow or introduce invasive aquatic plants. 207-783-7733 or by checking out their No-see-um Sipunis I X Q C V I B N M L Q M A O website Maine, along with a number of states have volunteer www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org Firefly Possaqhessos S Z H A S R T D F S M G H S monitoring programs in place to help keep these Frog Cogols aquatic invaders in check. Maine’s Volunteer Lakes H O E P L E C O S S U K Q Monitoring Program (VLMP) has over 1,000 trained Moose Mus volunteer monitors that are trained to the monitor E I S U Y F T R E W S T A R Free Star Possesom the state’s over 6,000 lakes and ponds for a broad R R S E W L A M E W I N H E range of environmental indicators that affect the Invasive Plant Patrol Workshop Woodpecker Paqahqaha health of Maine lakes. These volunteers are often the Sponsored by M O O S E Y T Y U I O P A Y Osprey Isomeqehs first to notice the changes taking place in our lakes. The Portage Lake Association A D S F G H F O R E S T J K They are trained and certified in water quality data Wednesday June 29, 2005 Fisherman Amewin collection of temperature, dissolved oxygen, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm Forest Kcihq N I S O M E Q E H S S A Z X Phosphorus and Chlorophyll-a concentrations. Volunteers can also be trained as invasive plant For more information or to register R G M N B V N O S E E U M C patrollers. For more information on how to become call 207-225-2070 or via email involved with the VLMP contact them via e-mail at [email protected]