“The Butterfly Project” highlights the Wabanaki Youth in Science program through the vision of emerging director Logan Dana, who was mentored by the Brown Barn team to tell an important story rooted in his own community.

The Wabanaki Youth in Science program brings Indigenous elders and leaders together with teachers across disciplines to create a new model of education. At its heart, the initiative is about respect: ensuring that Indigenous knowledge is incorporated into classrooms in ways that are both appropriate and powerful. For teachers, it is a chance to expand their approach and connect with ways of knowing that stretch beyond textbooks. For students, it opens the door to a richer understanding of the world around them. Now entering its second cohort, the program continues to grow in reach and impact, offering an honest, challenging, and inspiring example of what education can become when Indigenous and western traditions stand side by side.

Brown Barn Studios collaborated with filmmaker Logan Dana, a member of the Wabanaki Confederacy, to guide the production process and help bring this story to life. From the beginning, we were struck by his intuitive sense for storytelling and his ability to approach the subject with honesty and care. Our role was to provide structure and partnership, ensuring he had the tools and support to shape his vision into a finished film. The experience underscored how adaptable this process can be and can be used to enable all sorts of different voices to tell authentic stories.