ASHLEY LOMBOY
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Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio
I founded this program during a time when STEM Education for Waccamaw Siouan Tribal Youth was not accessible. Now we have influenced STEM Education and increased access for not only our tribal community but many other tribes across the southeast. I volunteer my time to drive this program into being the award winning and heart mending program it is today. ​
Advocacy
In 2023, a local public school attempted to force my son to cut his hair but my work in advocacy started long before this fight. It started with a phone call many years before to increase Native American involvement and visibility in the Cape Fear region. Building networks and partnerships of people who support the efforts of inclusion is what I do. One thing I have learned is advocacy takes on different meanings for different people.
Public Speaking, Media & Books
Exposure to my journey, from my professional career, STEM Studio and Advocacy has afforded me the opportunity to share that journey publicly. I have been the keynote speaker for many events in the region and most notably was on "The NC Listening Project" Series on PBS NC. I have written articles for Huffington Post, published in the scientific journal and co-authored "Bringing Back the Fire" Children's Book found on Amazon. Articles in The Robesonian, WILMA Magazine, AISES Program Video, Welcome to the Jungle, Reviving Waccamaw Siouan: Reconciling ethics, Indigenous epistemologies, and colonial data archives, and EdNC.
Planting
I have always loved to grow. Take that how you like. The growth of people, programs, ideas and most importantly plants. I have co-opted elders gardens to grow Tuscarora Corn and helped inspire the growth of ancient Sea Island Flint Corn in North Carolina. Most notably, was the growth and proliferation of Sweetgrass in the Southeast. It was trained from a strain in my backyard and now is shared and gifted across the united states. We all must continue to grow.
Making
For years I have made things. You name it, I have likely given it a shot. I have quilted, made regalia, knitted, made pottery and of course recently tried my hand at beading. There is just something magical when you can manifest your imagination for the world to see.