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Advancing Ocean Science Through Indigenous Knowledge

The ocean connects us all—and so does knowledge. WHOI’s Ladd Thorne Indigenous Knowledge Program (LT IKP) bridges Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Western science to create a more holistic understanding of our changing oceans. By supporting scholars, fostering educational outreach, and building comprehensive learning environments, we honor centuries of wisdom while advancing cutting-edge research. Your gift helps embrace centuries of observation, inspire future scientists, and shape a more sustainable future for our planet.

Empowering Scholars & Early-Career Scientists

Educational Outreach & Public Engagement

Student Programs: Hands-On Ocean Science Education

Institutional Capacity Building

Join us in making this vision possible

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Empowering Scholars & Early-Career Scientists

Your support funds internships, postdoctoral positions, and mentorship programs that integrate TEK with ocean science.

  • We are proud to welcome our first IKP Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Jordan Kennedy, whose research brings Indigenous knowledge perspectives to Western science.
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Educational Outreach & Public Engagement

student programs

Student Programs: Hands-On Ocean Science Education

Your gift supports immersive learning experiences for students that blend TEK with marine science and technology:

  • Utah Unây: What Is It Like? – Students explore the intersection of TEK and robotics for an immersive experience in sensor systems, ocean and climate science, and ocean stewardship through culturally rooted programming.
  • Mashpee Wampanoag “Preserving Our Homelands” Camp – A long-standing collaboration with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, offering middle school students hands-on learning at WHOI.
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Institution Capacity Building

We strengthen program development, campus education, and capacity-building through institution-wide trainings, curriculum development, and guidance from our consultants, and external advisors.

Empowering Scholars & Early-Career Scientists

Your support funds internships, postdoctoral positions, and mentorship programs that integrate TEK with ocean science.

  • We are proud to welcome our first IKP Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Jordan Kennedy, whose research brings Indigenous knowledge perspectives to Western science.

Educational Outreach & Public Engagement

We amplify Indigenous knowledge through workshops, seminars, and community programs, fostering dialogue across approaches.

  • In May 2026, we will host our inaugural IKP Seminar featuring Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, presenting “The Fortress, The River, and The Garden: A New Metaphor for Knowledge Symbiosis.”

Student Programs: Hands-On Ocean Science Education

Your gift supports immersive learning experiences for students that blend TEK with marine science and technology:

  • Utah Unây: What Is It Like? – Students explore the intersection of TEK and robotics for an immersive experience in sensor systems, ocean and climate science, and ocean stewardship through culturally rooted programming.
  • Mashpee Wampanoag “Preserving Our Homelands” Camp – A long-standing collaboration with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, offering middle school students hands-on learning at WHOI.
  • CCCC Blue Economy Internships – Support of paid internship opportunities for Cape Cod Community College students at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Institutional Capacity Building

We strengthen program development, campus education, and capacity-building through institution-wide trainings, curriculum development, and guidance from our consultants, and external advisors.

Join us in making this vision possible

Your generosity fuels a future where Indigenous knowledge and marine science work hand in hand to protect our oceans. Every gift—large or small—helps us expand opportunities for scholars, inspire the next generation of ocean stewards, and create a more comprehensive scientific community.

Together, we can honor wisdom, advance discovery, and safeguard our shared ocean. Make your impact today.

For more information on the Ladd Thorne Indigenous Knowledge Program please contact: Natalie Nevárez: natalie.nevarez@whoi.edu

If you would like to make a donation to support this program please contact Court Clayton, Chief Development Officer at gclayton@whoi.edu or (508) 289-2545