This speedblog is part of the OLS-9 cohort, where participants explore open science principles while developing their projects. In this post, Melleason shares insights from their work on integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific methods to improve caribou habitat conservation on the Slate Islands.
Project Background
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the Red List, which categorizes species from “Least Concern” to “Extinct” to highlight conservation priorities. The caribou is listed as “Vulnerable,” raising significant conservation concerns. Within Lake Superior lies the Slate Islands, part of the traditional territory of the Biigtigong First Nation. These islands were once home to a thriving caribou population, which was extirpated from the area a few decades ago. There is an ongoing effort to reintroduce caribou to the Slate Islands, with a small number already introduced. However, two critical challenges persist:
- The nature of the habitat, including historical changes and projected changes critical for caribou survival, remains poorly understood.
- Current conservation approaches rely heavily on scientific methods, such as remote sensing, limiting inclusiveness and failing to integrate the knowledge of Indigenous communities. As a result, my project seeks to bridge Indigenous knowledge and scientific understanding, including remote sensing, to develop effective conservation strategies for caribou on the Slate Islands.
Goals and Expectations in OLS
Through the Open Life Science (OLS) program, I aimed to:
- Learn methods for engaging diverse communities, including Indigenous peoples, to ensure the success of the project.
- Understand best practices in research data management, particularly in contexts emphasizing Indigenous data sovereignty.
Goals Achieved, Key Insights, and Accomplishments
My project has two phases: remote sensing and social science. While awaiting Research Ethics Board (REB) approval to proceed with the second phase (interviews with Indigenous community members), key accomplishments include:
- Completion of field survey of the Slate Islands to validate Landsat data.
- Development of a current habitat map for the Slate Islands and habitat change map spanning 1984–2024.
- Participating in Indigenous festivals to build trust and strengthen relationships.
- Completed an REB application for interviews.
- Updating project information on my GitHub repository.
Through OLS training, I gained critical skills and insights in areas, including:
- Community Management Training: Leveraging the “mountain of engagement” framework to lead effectively and foster community involvement.
- Tooling for Open Project Design: Utilizing open-source tools to design and communicate projects effectively, enhancing GitHub proficiency.
- Data Management Practices: Emphasizing appropriate handling of sensitive data, particularly regarding Indigenous governance.
Next Steps
In the short term, I plan to:
- Conduct interviews to incorporate Indigenous perspectives on forest changes and their impacts on wildlife.
- Refine the habitat and habitat change maps by integrating Indigenous definitions and insights.
In the long term, I aim to expand this research to other lake-moderated islands and their Indigenous communities in southern Ontario.
Staying Connected
I look forward to maintaining ties with the OLS community, continuing to learn and contribute to open science. I have subscribed to their social media platforms and remain available for future learning and mentoring opportunities.
Acknowledgments
This work has been successful thanks to the guidance of my university supervisors, DRI EDIA/OLS instructors, and mentor Alejandro Coca-Castro. I also appreciate the financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC).