Growing up in the foster care system in Nebraska, Corice Lieb, 24, learned lessons of resiliency and the importance of staying connected to one’s community. After leaving the Marine Corps, Corice focused on pursuing his education and finding ways he could give back to the Omaha Tribe of which he is a member.

While attending University of Nebraska Omaha, Corice learned about man-made disasters and natural disasters caused by climate change and how new drone technology can be used in preliminary disaster assessments. Corice saw how this technology would be beneficial to tribes: limiting the administrative burdens placed on tribes that make it difficult to receive disaster assistance in times of need and allowing them to quickly apply for Federal disaster relief funds and with more accurate information than before.

Through licensing and trainings in drone operation and implementation, Corice is committed to sharing what he has learned with other Native youth so they can learn how they can tangibly strengthen the sovereignty of their own communities through increased accessibility to disaster relief funds.