One of the most compelling sessions at the Arctic Congress unfolded just before our own began. The Permafrost Pathways Project — an intricate blend of technology and tradition — painted the landscape of possibility in the cold spaces of Fox, Alaska. Led by Dr. Olaf Kuhlke, the presentation unveiled the 3-D visualization and measurement of the permafrost tunnel, captured through the lens of a Matterport Pro-3 LiDAR camera, and etched the changing face of permafrost terrain.
This exploration into Defense Resiliency offered a window into advanced technologies like LiDAR and AI-driven analytics — tools that not only mapped the shifting earth, but illuminated paths to understanding how climate change etches its mark on Indigenous landscapes. These technologies became more than just data points; they were stories of resilience, mapping out how we might bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern advancements.
The session didn’t just talk about data — it whispered about how we might use this knowledge to protect, preserve, and plan. From cultural landscapes to community resources, there was an energy in the room, a spark of connection between land, technology, and people.
