Toqa’q (Autumn) is the beginning of the Mi’kmaq year. It is the time when salmon go back to the sea and our ancestors would return to the interior. The birds flying south, the eels in the rivers, and the moose in the forests gave us what we needed to survive from year to year and … Read More
A Story by Charlie Dennis Noel Francis was one of the true oyster fishermen that fished oysters in the different oyster beds in the Bras d’Or Lakes. During most of the oyster season, he and his son would be fishing in Malagawatch and River Denys Basin. At times, he would fish alone as the boys … Read More
Increased presence in the highlands Hunters can expect to see an increased presence of Mi’kmaq Natural Resource Officers (NRO’s) and officials from the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the Cape Breton Highlands this Fall. This is an effort for the Mi’kmaq to take increased control of the Mi’kmaq moose hunt. “Members of … Read More
Here’s the latest news from the Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Planning Initiative (CEPI): The Steering Committee recently accepted a framework document which provides a roadmap for the development of the overall environmental management plan for the Bras d’Or Lakes. The management plan will have two levels, one that encompasses the entire Bras d’Or Lakes, and … Read More
UINR’s Annual Report for the 2005/2006 fiscal year is available for download at our website. Just go to www.uinr.ca/annual report to get a copy. The report highlights some of UINR’s achievements over the last year and includes financial statements for the period. Here’s an excerpt from Charlie Dennis’ introduction: The last twelve months have been … Read More
Elder Albert Marshall says it best. “Two Eyed Seeing” is what he calls the approach to incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with traditional scientific methods. UINR, Parks Canada, and the Government of Canada want to incorporate both TEK and western science in the pursuit of ecological integrity in the national parks. First Nations are always … Read More
Ben Eoin Campground was the site for a formal announcement by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The news conference was held to announce the designation of the Bras d’Or Lakes as a non-discharge zone for pleasure craft. Pitu’paq was instrumental in preparing the application … Read More
CSI Cape Breton (Collaborative Salmon Initiative) is a new organization that was endorsed in Wagmatcook at a two-day workshop on Atlantic Salmon in Unama’ki/Cape Breton. Representatives from First Nations, government, conservation groups, scientists, academics, and recreational fishers met at “Dialogue on Plamu/Atlantic Salmon in Cape Breton.” The intensive workshop focused on many of the issues … Read More
In older times, nipk (summer) was the time when our families travelled to summer camps along the shores to gather fish, shellfish, roots, and herbs to supplement our summer diet. These traditions are still important to us and, at UINR we continue to work on ensuring that these resources will be there in the future … Read More
Alfred MacKay: All-around fisherman from Big Harbour Island, Malagawatch I met Alfred back in the 1970s when I was buying oyster from the public fishery in the fall. Alfred lived southeast of what we call Malagawatch Reserve. In order for him to get to his home, he had to drive through the Malagawatch community on … Read More
The Traditional Leadership for Future Generations Conference was held in Antigonish in May, 2006 to educate youth about traditional leadership and to encourage positive thinking and goal achievement. There were both Elder and youth speakers–the Elders sharing their traditional knowledge while youth spoke of everything from traditional dancing to overcoming drugs and alcohol to achieve … Read More
