Introduction
Haŋ, mitákuyepi. Summer Dupree emáčiyapi na Wakpá Wašté Oyáŋke hemátaŋhaŋ. Mnikȟówožu MaLakȟóta.
Hello, relatives. My name is Summer Dupree, and I’m from the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. I am of the Plants-by-the-Waters band of Lakota.
Educational Background
I will be graduating from Oglala Lakota College (OLC) with a B.S. in Natural Science with an emphasis in Conservation Biology in June 2026. I also work as a research assistant with OLC building a habitat suitability model for a culturally significant plant on the Cheyenne River Reservation. This is my fourth year participating in the ESIIL Stars Internship and my third year as an Advanced Intern (A.I.).
Interests in Earth Data Science (EDS)
I’m interested in analyzing existing data to expand my understanding of the ecosystems present in South Dakota and other lands historically occupied by the Ochéthi Šakówiŋ, the Seven Council Fires of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota. I’m specifically interested in seeing how existing remote sensing data can inform my understanding of the plant communities present on South Dakota reservations. I also hope to continue to build my knowledge base in programming and EDS to better serve my community in our increasingly technological world.