WaYS to Utilize Indigenous Knowledge and Technology

The goal is to continue weaving Indigenous Knowledge and western science into multiple projects that

WaYS currently has within our tribal communities in Maine. The project will assist the important work of graduate student Tyler Everett of Mi’Kmaq Nation who works with the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik (APCAW) at UMaine. The tribal community recognizes urgency to manage and protect brown ash considering the pressures of the emerald ash borer (EAB). Given the expanse of land to be covered, challenging terrain and access to sites, and the rapid mortality of the ash from the EAB, remote sensing is a vital tool in assisting with this work. This project will develop and implement a drone program internal to the WaYS network to benefit tribal communities, using remote sensing data to complement work around brown ash and engaging Indigenous youth in STEM to support their academic journey.