Lisa Young

Executive Director

If someone had told Lisa Young twenty years ago that she would be the Executive Director of UINR, she might have thrown you out of the helicopter that she was in, doing a survey of the moose population in the Cape Breton Highlands!

In those days, UINR hadn’t even started and Lisa was a young biologist fresh from her studies at York University. She was working as a field technician doing research with Parks Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources on moose in the Highlands. As a biologist at Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2001, Lisa was in the right place at the right time when Charlie Dennis was looking for a manager for a new organization that he was working on–Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources.

Little did she know at the time that UINR would grow into a leader in Mi’kmaq natural resources and environmental issues. This did not happen overnight and, from the beginning, Lisa was involved in writing and developing proposals for initiatives such as the Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management program, hardwood forest management, the Natural Resource Officer program and Mi’kmaq Natural Resource Mapping project.

For six years, Lisa was UINR’s General Manager and Director of Administration before becoming Executive Director in 2006. One of the highlights in Lisa’s training was participating in Aboriginal Leadership and Management Development training at the Banff Centre. As Executive Director, Lisa’s job includes assisting staff in project development and management, as well as participating in developing UINR’s overall objectives and direction.

When Lisa is not wearing her UINR hat, she enjoys family time with her husband Buddy Young and their children, Maria and Spencer.

The most rewarding part of working at UINR has been having the opportunity to be involved in such a wide range of environmental issues. It’s quite an experience to be able to work with so many different facets of government, industry and community.

Lisa: In the News

The People of the Lakes Speak

The People of the Lakes Speak

October 30, 2016News

On Tuesday November 8 Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI) will host a discussion on sustainable practices across key industry sectors for the Bras d’Or Lakes at a conference, “The People of the Lakes Speak.” Ian MacNeil emcees the three-day event that concludes with a keynote address by Dr. David Suzuki on Thursday November 10. … Read More

Lisa on Two-Eyed Seeing

Lisa on Two-Eyed Seeing

August 23, 2016News

At UINR we practice Two-Eyed-Seeing in all of our work and it’s easy for us to lose sight of the fact that many people don’t understand the concept. Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed-Seeing, was introduced by our Elder Advisor Albert Marshall over a decade ago and draws on both Mi’kmaw and Western knowledge. With one eye, we … Read More

UINR Meets with Federal Environment Minister

UINR Meets with Federal Environment Minister

August 10, 2016News, Partnerships

Today UINR met with Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change. On hand were UINR Moose Management Coordinator Clifford Paul, Bras d’Or Lakes CEPI Coordinator Stan Johnson, MP Mark Eyking, UINR Board Member Chief Leroy Denny, (fresh from a swim in the ocean) Honourable Catherine McKenna, UINR Board Chair Chief Terry Paul, … Read More

New Interpretive Panels Unveiled

New Interpretive Panels Unveiled

June 16, 2016News, Partnerships

The Mi’kmaw flag flies proudly at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Park, standing guard over the new set of interpretive panels that were developed in collaboration with UINR to share and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture in Unama’ki. The process started with Charlie Dennis and grew to include others including Nadine LeFort, Annie Johnson, Lisa Young … Read More

Help Us Help Malikewe’j

Help Us Help Malikewe’j

June 9, 2016News

The mosquitos and blackflies were in full force for our annual Malikewe’j Clean-up. Things have been steadily improving and there was much less garbage to clean up this year. UINR’s Shelley Denny, Karlee Johnson, Lisa Young, and Emma Garden prepare for the ditch clean-up. shelley.denny@uinr.ca

CSI Cape Breton

CSI Cape Breton

May 5, 2016News, Partnerships

UINR hosted a meeting of members of Cape Breton Collaborative Salmon Initiative. The partnership meets regularly to talk about the state of salmon in Unama’ki and work on projects together. In attendance (and pictured in the photo below) are: Bob O’Quinn–St. Ann’s Bay Wildlife Association, Greg Lovely–Margaree Salmon Association, Carter Stevens–CB Island Wildlife Association, Lewis Hinks–Atlantic … Read More

Thinking Outside the Box

Thinking Outside the Box

March 12, 2016Guardian Program, News

Tom Howe, Fisheries & Oceans Canada; Tom Johnson, Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife; Joyce Patel, Fisheries & Oceans Canada; Derek Quann, Parks Canada; Annie Johnson, UINR; Norman Basque, Potlotek Guardians, Darryl Murrant, Nova Scotia Fisheries & Aquaculture; Marlene Doyle, Indigenous & Northern Affairs Canada; Hubert Nicholas, Membertou Fisheries; Keith Christmas, UINR; Lisa Young, UINR; Charles Doucette, … Read More

Wi’kupaltimk Wjit Plamu unveiled in Margaree

Wi’kupaltimk Wjit Plamu unveiled in Margaree

May 29, 2015News

Wi’kupaltimk Wjit Plamu is a new exhibit that showcases the celebration of Plamu (Salmon) and its relationship with the Mi’kmaq people. On Friday, June 5 at 11:00 am, UINR (Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources,) MELC (Mi’kmaq Environmental Learning Centre,) and Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture’s Margaree Fish Hatchery unveil a new exhibit at the … Read More

Mi’kmaq legends come to life 

Mi’kmaq legends come to life 

May 28, 2015Forestry, News

The American Marten has played an important role in the legends of the Mi’kmaq people and continues that role today as an indicator of forest health. UINR–Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources released a new book and video that look at the Marten’s role as it relates to the health of our forests. This week UINR, with … Read More

New Book and Video on Marten and the Forest

New Book and Video on Marten and the Forest

May 19, 2015Forestry, News

Mi’kmaq legends come to life The American Marten has played an important role in the legends of the Mi’kmaq people and continues that role today as an indicator of forest health. UINR–Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources– is releasing a new book and video that look at the Marten’s role as it relates to the health … Read More

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