Research Project

Citizen Science for Dakota and Lakota Nations

Research Team

Lead Researchers:

Dr Nhut Ho
Dr Alex Modarresi
Dr Mario Giraldi

Collaborators:

Dr Mafany Mongoh (Sitting Bull College)

Student Team:

Grant Freedman
Josue Sanchez
Robert Khalulyan
Mike Agazarian
Byron Mungia
Dakota Wagner
Emiliano Viernes
Raneen Kakar
Alessandro Pelayo
Samuel Hernandez
Christian Foster
Sheng Yoong
Nicholas Serce

Funding

Funding Organization:
Funding Program:

Abstract

Harnessing the power of citizen science, our project aims to build a mobile application tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of the Standing Rock Native Nation, located in the North and South Dakotas, along with assisting to improve NASA JPL’s accuracy and quality of data. Integrating traditional and cultural knowledge with scientific data and research from NASA and EPA, the app will focus on themes of sustainability, human rights, and social justice. By empowering community members to actively collect data and share knowledge, the platform encourages participation and informed decision-making. Beyond fostering engagement and promoting sustainable living, the app ultimately seeks to revitalize social and cultural identities within the Standing Rock communities, serving as a model for citizen-driven solutions.

Motivation/Research Problem

The development of this app is driven by a critical need to disseminate information within the Standing Rock community. The community faces numerous challenges, from everyday hardships to environmental concerns. While there are many organizations dedicated to providing support and resources, there is a significant gap in visibility and accessibility. Community members are often unaware of the existence of these organizations or unsure of how to access their services. This realization highlighted the need for a centralized platform that not only bridges this information gap but also fosters a stronger sense of community engagement.

Additionally, the app introduces a citizen science component designed to empower community members. By contributing to the collection of critical environmental data — weather, water quality, air quality, and soil quality — residents become active participants in monitoring and preserving their environment. This data will be aggregated, analyzed, and presented back to the community in a way that is understandable and actionable.

Therefore, the motivation behind this app is twofold: to enhance community connectivity and resource access, and to involve community members in significant environmental observation and preservation efforts. By addressing these key areas, the app aims to assist a resilient community by equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary for their well-being and the protection of their environment

Research Questions and Research Objectives

The objectives of our app are multifaceted and deeply rooted in the core needs of the Standing Rock community. Our primary aim is to establish a robust platform for the dissemination of information that is both relevant and accessible to all community members. This will serve to:

Increase Visibility: By featuring and highlighting local organizations and their services, we will significantly increase their visibility, ensuring that community members are aware of and can access the support available to them.
Foster Community Engagement: The app will be a dynamic space for residents to engage with one another, share cultural practices, and stay informed about local events. This will aid in creating a stronger, more connected community.
Aggregate Environmental Data: Empowering residents to contribute to environmental monitoring, the app will aggregate data on weather, water, air, and soil quality. This will not only involve the community in the protection of their environment but also increase the understanding of local environmental conditions.
Enhance Accessibility to Resources: By centralizing information and resources, the app will make it easier for community members to find and utilize the resources they need, effectively reducing the effort and time required to find this information.

Through the use of the application, we anticipate an increase in community engagement, with members actively using the platform to stay informed of community events, make use of available resources, and engage in environmental data collection efforts. This heightened level of engagement and improved access to information will enable the community to maintain cultural continuity, support sustainability, and enhance overall well-being.

Deliverables

Community Forum: An interactive space for residents to share information, ask questions related to cultural practices, and engage in discussions that strengthen community knowledge and harmony.
Community Calendar: A digital calendar accessible to all, allowing organizations to publicize local events, facilitating community participation and awareness.
Community Map: An expansive map detailing points of cultural significance, local resources, road conditions, businesses, and other pertinent local information.
Citizen Science Component: This pivotal feature enables community members to contribute to and consult a database of local environmental observations. This data will be returned to the community in a summarized, easy-to-understand format.
Word-of-the-Day Feature: Promoting linguistic heritage, this feature will daily highlight words from the Lakota or Dakota languages, accompanied by their meanings, to encourage learning and preservation of language.
Local Weather Information: Integrated weather updates will keep the community informed about local conditions, essential for planning daily activities and community events.
Platform Accessibility: The app will be accessible through multiple channels, with applications for Android and iOS, as well as a web version, ensuring all community members can access the app with ease, regardless of their preferred technology.

Research Timeline

Large scale project, the scope is 3-5 years

Start Date: 10/2023

End Date: TBD