It has always been a dream of mine to broaden my horizons by studying in another country and gaining exposure to new cultures and perspectives. But as a child raised in a remote Kalimantan community, I was repeatedly cautioned about dreaming too big. However, I keep pursuing my dream with persistence.
In 2021, I was lucky to be chosen as one of just eight fellows from among more than a thousand candidates from around Indonesia to participate in the YSEALI Academic Fellowship. YSEALI is a short-term academic program designed to give groups of young leaders from Southeast Asia a better grasp of the United States and a specific theme while developing their leadership abilities.
Usually, YSEALI is a fully offline exchange program in the United State. However, it was still the height of the pandemic at the time, and traveling abroad was unsafe. That's why we have a hybrid online and offline program. We started our two-month online class in September 2021, and one year later, we can finally fly to the United States.
I was placed at the University of Montana, a well-known university for its commitment to environmental research and education. When I first set foot at the University of Montana, I was mesmerized by the beautiful scenery of yellowish pikies changing the colors of the tree and the pleasant smell of pine trees. We can safely drink from the faucets because the water is so clean. Something that I never see and do in Kalimantan!
We have various field trips to community projects and restoration sites. One of the most memorable experiences was when I got the opportunity to go to Jocko River, the second largest tributary watershed of the lower Flathead River in the Clark Fork River Basin. The river is tightly connected to the history of The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). However, changes in land use for agriculture, irrigation, livestock grazing, transportation, and residential and commercial development have put a lot of pressure on the Jocko River ecosystem. Therefore, since 1998 the CSKT has been leading various restoration efforts to protect and conserve the area.
The journey of Jocko watershed restoration began in 1997, when the CSKT intervened in the lawsuit for ecological destruction in the upper Clark Fork River due to the mining activity of the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). They settled for $18 million with a commitment to focus on restoring the Jocko River and its native trout fish.
Jocko watershed restoration is a success story of indigenous peoples' fight to hold mining companies accountable for environmental damage. Water ecosystems in Kalimantan have suffered significant damage due to numerous mining activities. However, until today, there has been no lawsuit that has been won in court.
In a few words, I could never do justice to the incredible variety of emotions, insights, and growth opportunities I had during this program. I wish to keep expanding my wings to learn from many places and share what I learn with youths in Kalimantan.
