Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio

04/23/2026

Earth Day is meant to be a celebration of the planet, but this year, it feels different.

North Carolina, and much of the Southeast, is in one of the most widespread droughts we’ve seen in decades. We’re entering the hottest months without the water we normally rely on, and that changes everything, from fire risk to ecosystem health.

This is the moment where Earth Day becomes more than a message.

It becomes a responsibility.

Pay attention to conditions.
Reduce fire risk where you can.
Conserve water.
Stay informed.
Because the ground is already telling us what’s happening and we still have time to respond.

For current drought conditions, visit the U.S. Drought Monitor here: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?NC

04/17/2026

First opportunity of the summer!

04/17/2026

Hi Family!

Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio has been hard at work behind the scenes to continue bringing amazing STEM Programming to our tribal communities. Stay tuned in for great summer camp opportunities, Hooheh Reforestation and Cultural Burn Program Phase 2, Fall tutoring and much more.

Unfortunately, due to health reasons, we were not able to host the Yacunne Fish Camp in Spring 2026 but we are looking for other dates to host it.

Your support and encouragement continues to uplight our spirits and push us forward to continue this great work.

Sincerely,

Ashley Lomboy

Waccamaw Siouan Powwow
Waccamaw Siouan Tribe

03/08/2026

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today we celebrate the women who help lead and shape the Hooheh Cultural Burn & Reforestation Program. We are also deeply grateful for the Waccamaw Siouan women, elders, and matriarchs whose knowledge and guidance continue to inspire and strengthen this program.

Your care for the land, community, and future generations makes this work possible.
We are honored to walk alongside you.

As we celebrate today, we are especially honored to feature Waccamaw Siouan elder and Chairperson, Ms. Millie Freeman, on the cover of the Winter issue of Hooheh Magazine. Her leadership, wisdom, and lifelong dedication to her people and the land embody the strength and guidance of the matriarchs who continue to shape our community.

What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by honoring the women who carry forward knowledge, stewardship, and care for future generations.

Read the Winter issue of Hooheh Magazine here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ATMrYrnmjXE3aCXejGod73JeQDgSzKlL/view?usp=sharing

03/08/2026

Congratulations to Danielle Perez, our Hooheh Program Manager for winning the United Tribes Unsung Hero Award. She is a pillar in our tribal community and always going the extra mile for others and the program.

Thank You for being amazing! ❤️. Our community is better with you being apart of it.

03/04/2026

03/03/2026

Announcing the 2026 Back the Braid Scholarship Winners!

Thank You again for being amazing students and we cannot wait to see what the world hold for each of you.

Thank You to Hero Staffing, CEO April Patrick, who has funded $80,000 in scholarships to North Carolina Tribal Youth.

Each of these $5,000 scholarships will be awarded during the NC United Tribes of North Carolina Scholarship Banquet this Saturday Morning at Hilton Raleigh North Hills. Recipients attendance is required to receive the scholarship.

You can learn more about Back the Braid at stemstudio.waccamaw-siouan.org

Ashley Lomboy

03/01/2026

02/23/2026

One year ago today, we gathered on tribal lands for our Ceremonial Tree Planting.

What we planted that day was more than longleaf pine (Hooheh) seedlings.

We planted restoration.
We planted cultural knowledge.
We planted a future for the next seven generations.

Since that planting, these trees have taken root in land that has been shaped by both fire and resilience. Through cultural burning and community reforestation, we are helping restore an ecosystem that was once suppressed and we are working to bring back habitat for wildlife, pollinators, and the stories tied to this land.

To every volunteer, partner, elder, youth, and community member who showed up -
thank you for helping us restore not just a forest, but a relationship with the land.

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to the Ceremonial Tree Planting.

The work continues, and the roots are growing.


This project was made possible through support provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, under the terms of Grant Agreement # 1903.23.078663. The content and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of such agency or The Nature Conservancy, and no official endorsement should be inferred. Supported by the Waccamaw Siouan tribe, Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio and the Cape Fear River Assembly.

02/15/2026

Happy Valentines Day from Hooheh :) we hope it was fire.

We also wanted to give you something to be excited about, so... your magazines are here! We packed each magazines with so much love and they are officially on the way to you!

Thank you for supporting Indigenous led conservation, storytelling, and reforestation.

Keep an eye on your mailbox... your Hooheh Valentine is on the way.



This project was made possible through support provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, under the terms of Grant Agreement # 1903.23.078663. The content and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of such agency or The Nature Conservancy, and no official endorsement should be inferred. Supported by the Waccamaw Siouan tribe, Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio and the Cape Fear River Assembly.

10/28/2025