Kyle Francis

Passamaquoddy Tribe - Sipayik Environmental Department. Hey, I’m Kyle. I started working on environmental projects in different capacities with my tribe (Passamaquoddy) through a program called WaYS (Wabanaki Youth in Science) when I was 15 (now 27). From then on, I developed a real affinity for this work and for helping my community through science and hands on projects. Growing up, there was a time when we didn’t have a lot of environmental capacity in the tribe, and I remember all the boil water notices, the cancer rates, and the worries we had about our environment and culture. I think that’s where part of my passion came from. The other half clicked later, when I was talking with community members who reminded me that our people were the original stewards of this land, that caring for it is something that naturally runs in our blood, and something we still take great pride in today. That really stuck with me. The need for capacity, my connection to this land, and my care for my people were all pushing me toward this work long before I realized it. It wasn’t until I got older that I understood how much those experiences shaped the path I’m on now.