New science projects at UINR It is going to be a busy year for UINR! We recently received support from Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk to continue our eel research in the Bras d’Or Lakes. The project will determine biological characteristics and the relationship of American Eel (Kataq) abundance in the Bras d’Or Lakes. … Read More
A giant leap After years of consultation, research and planning, Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs released Mi’kmaq guidelines for moose hunting in Cape Breton. Tia’muwe’l Netuklimkewe’l–Unama’ki Moose Harvesting According to Netukulimk was created by the Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia and is an important step for Mi’kmaq self-governance over our traditional resources. If you … Read More
Fall is a time of change. As the leaves turn colour and the kids go back to school, we spot geese flying south and hunters’ orange in the Highlands! UINR is proud to have played a part in the development of the Mi’kmaq Moose Hunting Guidelies, recently released by the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq … Read More
The first class of Unama’KIDS graduated at a ceremony in Eskasoni and joined a new group of kids that will be involved in next year’s project. The focus of the day was eels and we looked at the species from a traditional and a scientific point of view. Blair Bernard showed how to spear, clean … Read More
We have many neighbours: people, plants, animals and all the wonders that occupy the land and water. We share the earth’s resources (including water), often without any plan for the future that ensures our shared water resource is clean and available to all. A watershed plan focuses on water and is a tool that identifies … Read More
UINR is working with Parks Canada to study the population of American eel in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Throughout June, UINR staff will catch, measure and release elvers (young eels) as they enter the rivers and brooks between Ingonish Beach and Neil’s Harbour. The project is looking at the migration of the elvers from … Read More
Hubert Nicholas must have salt water in his blood! He’s been out on the ocean fishing for as long as he can remember. He started working professionally as a fisherman’s helper in 1988 and eventually became Captain of his own commercial fishing business. Over the years, he’s fished lobster, snow crab, herring, rock crab, tuna … Read More
The Cape Breton Highlands have always been known as traditional Mi’kmaq hunting grounds. In fact, a Mi’kmaq hunter recently found a 4500 year-old arrowhead there, evidence that Mi’kmaq hunted there for thousands of years. However, in the 1800s, moose disappeared from Unama’ki and this ancient relationship came to an abrupt end that lasted for almost … Read More
Notes from UINR’s Executive Director Lisa Young Welcome to our 5th year of the UINR MARTEN! Our quarterly newsletter has been very successful in getting the word out on our activities at UINR. Not only do we deliver a copy to every household in the five Mi’kmaq communities in Unama’ki, we distribute copies far and … Read More
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 … Read More
We’re on a mission! Take thousands of people, put them on an island for four days with no sewage system and no where to dispose of their garbage and you can imagine what is left behind. This was the scene every year at the annual Chapel Island Mission in the small community of Potlotek. Back … Read More
On June 10th the federal government promised $65 million in relief to the troubled Atlantic lobster industry, with $15 million for short-term transitional contributions for harvesters who experienced a 25% drop in income this year. Hubert Nicholas, the Commercial Fisheries Liason Co-ordinator with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) in Eskasoni has this to … Read More