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Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) has played a major role in advancing Mi’kmaq leadership in natural resource management and seeking to navigate reconciliation processes in Canada. Two primary aspects of UINR’s work are the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and the ����������ٲ��ٳܱ��پ�’k�� project.

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)

In 2015, Canada initiated a process to identify and protect 17% of their lands for ecological and heritage values. As a part of that process the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) was established to explore the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) throughout the country. The Mi’kmaq, through Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR), participated in this process. It was recognized that Reconciliation is not just required between diverse elements of society, it is also required more generally between humanity and the environment.

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are vital to the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia as they offer the Nation a leadership role in protecting and managing places, within our traditional territory, that are essential to the Nation’s culture and spirituality. Through Indigenous legal and stewardship concepts such as Netukulimk, Msit No’kmaq and Etuaptmumk, the Mi’kmaq have developed systems to manage and protect lands and resources, particularly those lands and resources that are sacred to Mi’kmaw spirituality, history, and cultural continuity.

IPCAs are lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems. Culture and language are the heart and soul of an IPCA and UINR has been working tirelessly to support aquatic research and stewardship, species management, traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge, conserved and protected areas, water quality monitoring and environmental partnerships to strengthen Indigenous governance. Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources is Unama’ki’s Mi’kmaq voice on natural resources and the environment and continues to engage with the ongoing IPCA establishment processes.��

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����������ٲ��ٳܱ��پ�’k�� (“listening to each other”) is funded by SSHRC Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative grant and conceived from a collaboration between the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) and Dr. Melanie Zurba. UINR plays a central role and has led the process of conceiving and conducting the proposed research.��

The project aims to understand what “research” and “evidence” means from an Indigenous perspective and will generate knowledge and insights that will support Indigenous leadership within academic research and natural resource governance. Over the next few years, the project will examine various current research initiatives and will work with key informants to create intergenerational connections and expand the potential of Indigenous Knowledge and language in transforming natural resource governance and research practices.

With the help of UINR, the project incorporates Indigenous research methods, and has a strong knowledge mobilization component that seeks to deploy and share the insights gained with all stakeholders including Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, as well as research and governance partners.

Learn more about UINR: ��

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