Jennifer Isherwood

MPA, Environmental Policy

PSM, Marine Sciences

University of Maine at Machias – University of Maine Wabanaki Center

Jennifer is part of UMaine’s Wabanaki Center. She is here at UMM to serve any Indigenous student in their educational and life journey. She is a Science Learner and Educator, connecting Wabanaki college students to Two-Eyed Seeing and Learning opportunities with youth in the communities of Sipayik, Mohtahkomikuk (Indian Township), and Panawahpskek (Penobscot). Two-Eyed Seeing weaves together Indigenous Knowledge and Western Knowledge, especially around the natural world. Jennifer grew up in the dominantly white working class city of Winthrop, Massachusetts. She is a mom to Zoë and Mino–cat mom to Wilbur and Piggy. Her ancestors came from Ireland, Wales, and England. Her older sibling Geoff lives in Hokkaido, Japan with his wife Saeko and their three children. These are a few of her favorite things: rural areas in what is now called Maine, arctic bogs, tide pools, harvesting and cooking with seaweed, mussels, wrinkles, wild mushrooms and plants; crows, natural crafts, aerial yoga, classic R.E.M. and new Hozier.

For more information on the paid Kinap Mentor Program for Wabanaki college students, please contact Jennifer: jishio@maine.edu

Wabanaki Center

Paid Mentorships in Washington County
NEW KINAP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Kinap ~ protector: Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, warrior spirit: Mi’kmaq

Kínape ~ warrior: Penobscot

1. What do mentors and interns do?
Kinap participants act as peer mentors for other Native college students and provide
outreach in their Wabanaki community. Mentors are supportive to fellow students, share their
experiences at University with younger students, and encourage development of Wabanaki
culture on and off-campus. Mentors will help to organize activities on and off-campus in
collaboration with the WaYS (Wabanaki Youth in Science) program, which connects
Wabanaki Cultural Knowledge Keepers with student projects. Mentors will also
meet with a life/academic coach from the Wabanaki Center 2x/month to discuss their
personal progress and their mentoring relationships and activities.

2. Who is eligible?
All participants must be part of a Native American community in Washington county and be
eligible for the Native American Waiver and Education Program (NAWEP). Kinap mentors
must be enrolled at UMM, in at least one course.

3. What is the rate of pay?
Kinap mentors are given a stipend of $1500 for the academic year, which requires
participation in 3 on-campus and 3 off-campus activities per semester and meeting regularly
with their life/academic coach.