When UINR needs to twist someone’s arm, we know who to send. Mark MacPhail, UINR’s Director of Forestry just won his fourth gold medal in the Canadian National Arm Wrestling Championships! So next time you need a little persuading…Fisheries and Oceans Canada are working on a new Memorandum of Understanding with UINR that will lay the groundwork for future projects between the two organizations…A Management Committee has been formed to develop the workplan that will lay the groundwork for Fisheries and Oceans Canada Unama’ki officers. Representatives from, DFO, Unama’ki Chiefs and UINR form the new committee…Laurie Suitor spoke recently at Café Scientifique on the topic “Will Technology Make Our Water Resources Unlimited?” …Gwen Poulette, UINR’s Finance Officer attended a two-day seminar in Halifax on “Simply Accounting Beyond the Basics”….UINR biologist Shelley Denny spoke recently at a workshop in Halifax called The Role of Municipalities, First Nations and Communities in Coastal Management….Shelley will be joining Dean Denny on an electrofishing course in Dartmouth…UINR continues to be involved with the committee formed to come up with a solution to the erosion problems in Malagawatch. Initial studies show that approximately 70 metres of shoreline are affected and it is estimated that the solution could cost over $500,000…UINR just completed a draft agreement on knowledge sharing between Unama’ki Mi’kmaq communities and Fisheries and Oceans Canada…A questionnaire on known aboriginal traditional knowledge has been completed by UINR Research…Another season of gaspereau monitoring was completed and preliminary results show great results from last year’s efforts…UINR staff were the first in the Maritime region to participate in the Community Aquatic Monitoring Program (CAMP)…This autumn UINR will begin Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network training (CABIN) with our Natural Resource Officers…UINR is coordinating efforts on eel and elver research with Cape Breton University and Fisheries and Oceans Canada…The Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI) recently held its first open house in Eskasoni…CEPI held a two-day workshop in Wagmatcook to establish its research priorities…Planning is underway for this year’s Joint Enforcement Team that will be out on the Bras d’Or Lakes distributing information on the non-discharge designation that comes in force next year. Staff from UINR will join Transport Canada, RCMP, Nova Scotia Environment, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to distribute brochures and information to boaters on the Lakes…
NEW ON BOARD
Jason MacLean is UINR’s new Assistant Forestry Manager.
Jason graduated with honours as a Forest Technician from Maritime Forest Ranger School and also holds an honours certificate in Forest Resources.
A graduate from Riverview Highschool, Jason has worked as a Forest Technician, chainsaw operator and labourer in Margaree, Ontario and British Columbia. Jason has also worked as a carpenter’s assistant giving him experience from clearing land to final construction. With more than 10 years working in the industry, his passion lies in natural resources. He worked for five years on Manitoulin Island where he learned about First Nation culture.
I am excited to be with UINR, and very interested in learning more about traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge and values, especially those associated with forest sustainability and preservation.
jason@uinr.ca
Gwen Poulette is our Finance Officer at UINR.
Gwen is well-known in the community for her work with various organizations and businesses. Before joining us at UINR Gwen was the Accounting Technician at the Atlantic First Nation Help Desk. She ran her own business–Poulette’s Bookkeeping Service in Eskasoni–where she helped businesses set up computerized bookkeeping, prepared tax rebates and other financial services for her clients.
She worked for many years at Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission as their Accountant and as Financial Auditor for the Unama’ki Training and Education Centre.
I am so glad to be a part of UINR. My fellow co-workers are very friendly and a nice group of people. Our location is beautiful and I couldn’t ask for anything better.
gwen@uinr.ca
Serena Paul has accepted the position as UINR’s Administrative Assistant.
She is no stranger at UINR where she’s been working on our Unama’KIDS project and was Project Assistant for the past year as well as assisting in our Finance department.
A graduate of Holy Angels High School, Serena attended Cape Breton University, taking business classes. She plans to finish her degree by taking courses part time.
Before joining UINR, Serena worked as a substitute Teacher’s Aide at Eskasoni Middle School and was Band Secretary for Eskasoni. Serena also worked with the Eskasoni Health Centre.
I enjoy working with the UINR team because I feel as I belong to another part of a family. It just makes me feel complete!
serena@uinr.ca