Pjila’si – Winter 2007
Another Winter is here, and while climate change has given us less snow and warmer weather, there’s no change to the short days and long nights that come with the season. At one time, our people really benefitted from the deep snow. We were able to travel on it easily with our snowshoes and toboggans,...
Hydro project raising concerns
Potlotek Elders say that if an ambitious hydropower plant proceeds, it will affect a traditional eel fishing area for this First Nation community. Cape Breton Explorations Ltd.’s plan to erect up to 44 wind turbines has passed the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s zoning process. This approval includes pumping water from Lake Uist to a reservoir...
Oysters hit again
Still reeling from the MSX virus in Bras d’Or Lakes oysters, the species has received another blow with the discovery of Malpeque disease in the waters of St. Ann’s Harbour and Orangedale. There are no human health concerns related to Malepeque but, since 1915 when the first symptoms were recorded, there have been significant losses...
Fishery officer pilot program
A new pilot program, a collaboration between UINR and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), has been put in place to train two Mi’kmaq DFO officers, who, upon completion of their training, will be assigned to the Unama’ki region to work with UINR on issues of concern to our Mi’kmaq communities. Training is anticipated...
The Oyster Garden 10
A Story by Charlie Dennis Tribute to Frankie Francis–Friend & Cousin In our Fall issue, Charlie Dennis described Frankie’s many business ventures that varied according to season. In late fall, Frankie would fish for eels in the Lakes’ mudflats, drawing from the knowledge he had picked up from the Elders. After fishing for eels, and...
Two countries one forest
The following is from a speech delivered by Elder Albert Marshall in Montreal in November at the conference: Two Countries, One Forest. The forests of the earth can be viewed from two different perspectives; one being an acknowledgment and celebration of the life given to the forests through the hard labour of the living earth,...
Ancient knowledge returns
While moose provide a fresh supply of meat, historically, the Mi’kmaq depended on moose for many things. Highly-prized moose hides were used for clothing, shelter, and drums, skins were used to make boats, hooves for rattles, and high density shin bones were carved and sharpened as spear tips. To bring some of that ancient knowledge...
Marten matchmaking
The dating pool for American Marten in Unama’ki just took a leap forward with the release in the Highlands of five animals that were recently trapped in northern New Brunswick! Lending a hand in the matchmaking were UINR staff members, Clifford Paul and Blair Bernard, along with representatives from Parks Canada and Nova Scotia Department...
