Using LiDAR and 3D Visualization in Permafrost Studies

July 19, 2024 - by Jamie Bell

Last week, we explored the intersection of technology and data sovereignty, learning how improved data systems can address challenges in supply chains, for everything from food security to grocery pricing, particularly with northern remote regions. This week, let’s look back at an exciting project that combines cutting-edge technology with the visualization of permafrost features and how this ties into our study this summer of Indigenous Cultural Expressions. 

At the Arctic Congress 2024, Dr. Olaf Kuhlke, PhD from the Minneapolis College of Art and Designpresented on the visualization and measurement of permafrost features at the CRREL Permafrost Tunnel in Fox, Alaska. Using a Matterport Pro-3 LiDAR camera, this project showcased a 3-D visualization of the permafrost tunnel, highlighting its potential as a living and learning lab for permafrost studies.

The presentation detailed how LiDAR and 3-D camera technologies were used to capture intricate details of the permafrost tunnel, which can be challenging due to the low-light environment and irregular surfaces. Despite these challenges, the Matterport VR visualization platform enabled high-resolution measurements and interactive displays. This included features like audio and video tagging, making the data not only informative but also accessible and engaging.

But how does this relate to Indigenous Cultural Expressions?

Inuit, First Nations and Red River Metis communities have a profound relationship with the land, including permafrost regions. Traditional knowledge about these landscapes, passed down through generations, encompasses a deep understanding of ecological changes and environmental conditions. Using modern technology like LiDAR and 3-D cameras, communities can visualize and measure permafrost features with great precision. This technology can complement Indigenous knowledge, providing a bridge between scientific data and traditional wisdom.

For instance, the 3-D visualization of permafrost features can help communities document and share their observations about changes in the environment. These visualizations can be tagged with audio and video notes that capture Indigenous stories, observations, and cultural expressions related to the land. This not only preserves valuable traditional knowledge but also makes it easier to communicate with scientists, policymakers, and younger generations.

As well, integrating advanced visualization technologies with Indigenous Cultural Expressions can lead to new collaborative research and educational opportunities! Virtual tours of permafrost tunnels, enriched with Indigenous insights, can serve as powerful educational tools. They provide an immersive way for students and researchers to learn about the permafrost and the cultural significance it holds for Indigenous peoples.

The use of technology like LiDAR and 3-D cameras in visualizing permafrost features presents a whole world of unique opportunities to integrate and preserve Indigenous Cultural Expressions, and to do it in new and exciting ways. By documenting and sharing Indigenous knowledge through modern technological platforms, we can foster a deeper understanding of the environment and create meaningful collaborations between Indigenous communities and the scientific world. This fusion of technology and tradition not only enriches our knowledge base but also ensures that Indigenous voices are heard and valued in the ongoing study and preservation of our natural world.

About our summer programming

Niriqatiginnga is a collective of volunteers, artists, youth, community-based projects, nonprofit organizations, academia and businesses exploring capacity building through the arts, climate and food sector entrepreneurship. Join us this summer as we connect with Winnipeg and Manitoba-based arts, programs and organizations that inspire us, and to learn about the work they do best.

Our program activities this summer are supported by a grant from the Indigenous Intellectual Property Program (IIPP) with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The program is designed to support increased engagement in the IP system by Indigenous peoples in Canada. The grant funds eligible Indigenous organizations to support participation in World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) sessions, small-scale initiatives and projects related to intellectual property (IP), Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and Indigenous Cultural Expressions (ICEs). This summer’s Niriqatiginnga Youth, Arts and Media Team activities are also supported by Manitoba Agriculture and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the OpenAI Researcher Access Program, Agri-Food and Agriculture Canada and the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Skills Program.