Traditionally, the fall is the beginning of the Mi’kmaq year. As the birds began their flight south, Mi’kmaq people began their migration from the lakes and ocean to their inland homes. Birds, eels, salmon, moose, and beaver were plentiful and fall was the time to harvest and lay in supplies for the long winter ahead.
Now-a-days, we still have the spirit of new beginnings at this time of the year. The start of the school term, freezing blueberries, and getting our homes ready for the winter are all part of the modern cycles of our people that have replaced the old ways.
This issue’s cover story brings the concept of new beginnings into focus. The Chapel Island Mission, that has taken place for hundreds of years, has a new start with a comprehensive recycling and sewage program being put in place for the first time. Congratulations to Pitu’paq for getting the ball rolling.
At UINR, we are embarking on some new projects that will have some impact on the future of the Bras d’Or Lakes. See inside for stories on lobster management, a new moose workshop, our detailed look at water quality in the Lakes, and watch for more projects in our next issue.
The state of the Bras d’Or Lakes is something that interests us all. After years of research, one piece of the puzzle is in place with the Marine Environmental Water Quality report that we recently published. You can see our conclusions and recommendations summarized in this issue.
Our Administrative Assistant, Melissa Nevin has some new beginnings of her own. She is leaving her position at UINR to join KMK. We miss her already!
lisa@uinr.ca