SFR’s John Daigle Secures NSRC Indigenous Forest Knowledge Fund Award
NSRC Awards a total of $1.2M to Three Regional Projects
CRSF is pleased to share that the Northeastern States Research Cooperative (NSRC) has awarded nearly $500K to Dr. John Daigle, University of Maine Professor of Forest Recreation Management at the University of Maine and leader of the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Waponahkik (APCAW) Lab, in support of his project Sustaining basketmaking in Waponahkik through increased accessibility, processing, and storage opportunities. Daigle and co-PI Dr. Darren Ranco, Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine, will lead the project, along with collaborators that include members of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi’kmaq Nation, Wabanaki Nation, and St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
“We are in a very limited space in time with the amount of remaining healthy ash trees and this requires working together to support forest health and finding ways to sustain cultural relations. The incorporation of Wabanaki knowledges will enhance our strategies in responding to the threats posed by EAB. Through this project, I am excited to build new relationships at a regional scale and connect to new Tribal communities.” PI John Daigle
With the onset of emerald ash borer (EAB) in forests where Wabanaki basketmakers harvest, our project goal is to advance basketmaker stewardship of remaining healthy ash and develop technologies that support the processing and storage of ash splints before widespread mortality. Ultimately, this will sustain the material supply for Wabanaki basketry. This project takes a community-driven approach that prioritizes participation of Wabanaki ash harvesters.
More details on the IFKF and NSRC can be found on the NSRC website, www.nsrcforest.org