Unama’KIDS’ coordinator Selena Cremo with students from Eskasoni and Wagmatcook

Apistane’wj is the Mi’kmaq word for the American marten, the subject of a new play put together by UINR’s Unama’KIDS. UKids coordinator Selena Cremo worked with direction from Maura Lea Morykot, well-known teacher and performer, to put together a story on the endangered marten and attempts to reestablish it in Unama’ki.

They researched the story, helped write the script and constructed all of the puppets at workshops through the winter. This spring they presented the show to their fellow schoolmates. Apistane’wj travelled to all five Mi’kmaq communities and was well-received by everyone who saw it.

Helping with the production was ECMA award winner Jamie Foulds who worked on the recording, editing and soundtrack for the production. The Unama’KIDS had a real blast at Jamie’s Soundpark Studios doing the recordings!

If you missed Apistane’wj, stay tuned. We’re working with the Unama’ki College at CBU to do a video production that we will show on UINR TV and your community channel.

UINR’s Unama’KIDS involves grade six students from five Mi’kmaq communities. They learn about natural resources and the environment. This year, Environment Canada funded us through its EcoAction program.

selena@uinr.ca

Membertou and Shipyard Elementary Unama’KIDS

Potlotek Unama’KIDS

Maura Lea Morykot lends a hand in puppet making

Unama’KIDS enjoyed a full-day workshop with Paul Koziel from Nova Scotia Natural Resources, building nesting boxes for the final release of American Martens in Unama’ki.

The American Marten is an endangered species here and UINR has been involved with Parks Canada and Nova Scotia Natural Resources in a project that has seen the release of martens in the Cape Breton Highlands in an effort to increase their population. The martens are trapped in New Brunswick and transported to the Highlands. The American Marten was once plentiful in Cape Breton but a combination of loss of habitat and over-trapping has resulted in the species being added to the list of Species at Risk in Cape Breton.

Unama’KIDS have been involved in the marten release in the past, accompanying Elders and others to the Highlands for a ceremonial blessing and release. This year they were even more involved, helping to construct the small nesting boxes that serve as the temporary home of the martens on their journey from New Brunswick to Cape Breton.

Paul talked about the importance of this species and how the capture and release is done, while instructing the Unama’KIDS in basic carpentry skills. At the end of the day enough nesting boxes were assembled to accommodate all the martens scheduled for release.

serena@uinr.ca

Unama’KIDS got off to a productive start this year participating in the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. They joined nearly 60,000 volunteers from across the country who helped clean up almost 1,600 different sites.

While picking up debris and garbage along the Whycocomagh shoreline, they counted every piece of garbage and catalogued it to add to the cross-country totals. They found everything from cigarette butts to plastic hose, styrofoam cups and plastic bags. While all the totals aren’t in yet, last year participants removed 135,467 kg of litter from shorelines across the country!

The shoreline cleanup gave Unama’KIDS a chance to be a part of an activity that has a real, measurable effect on the environment. Unama’KIDS Coordinator, Serena Paul explains: The cleanup was more than just collecting trash, is was a great example of communities working together to create solutions that ensure our oceans and waterways are kept clean.

Next year, we hope to expand the cleanup to other Unama’ki communities and involve whole classes in the activity. It’s a great way to spend a beautiful fall day by the Bras d’Or Lakes, helping make a cleaner environment.

serena@uinr.ca

Over the last year the Unama’KIDS were involved in lots of different projects on natural resources. One of the highlights was participating in the release of American Martens in the Highlands last fall. This was a memorable hands-on experience where the Unama’KIDS got to see this elusive endangered species up close.

Over the next year, the new batch of Unama’KIDS will particiate in projects relating to natural resources and our environment in Unama’ki.

serena@uinr.ca

Unama’KIDS looks a natural resources and the environment from the point-of-view of youth in Unama’ki.

One of our goals at UINR is to reach the youth in our communities and work with them to determine what information they need, and to develop innovative ways to get that information to them that will have the most impact.

Unama’KIDS involves students in the Mi’kmaq schools and other schools that have Mi’kmaq students. The Unama’KIDS have participated in the release of the endangered American Marten, a moose feast in the Highlands, a puppet show on the endangered Piping Plover, nature walks, workshops in biology, traditional knowledge and art projects. UnamaKIDS also uses computer communications technology like video conferencing, Facebook and the world wide web to share and learn.

These fourteen Grade 5 students were selected by their teachers to participate in a new UINR project that focuses on natural resources and the environment. One of our goals at UINR is to reach the youth in our communities and work with them to determine what information they need, and to develop innovative ways to get that information to them that will have the most effect.

Rather than simply giving the information to the students, we decided to involve them every step of the way. We believe that if they take an active role in the creation and distribution of the material, we will be more successful in getting our message out.

Our first step was to hold a day-long conference where we focused on the message of respect and the relevance of Mi’kmaq culture, rights, and responsibilities. Students learned through activities and from the stories of facilitators Rochelle Owen and Clifford Paul. Elder Albert Marshall shared his wisdom and respect for the environment and Shauna Gould gave a hands-on lab tour highlighting the application of science in protecting natural resources in the communities.

The students helped us discover the best methods of teaching and the best way to reach them. Some of the top methods they identified for learning included arts and crafts, outdoor activities, action projects, and Elder activities. A clear preference for communicating included MSN chat followed by email, videos/video conference, and outdoor camps.

The Unama’KIDS identified key subjects they were interested in including fishing, wildlife, learning with friends, animals, and weather. Hands-on and outdoor activities, along with high tech communications, were highlighted as key in “thinking of a memorable experience” and in the communication and learning methods suggested.

Unama’KIDS is coordinated by Weldon Bona and Serena Paul. Teachers: Sheila Gould, Mike Isaac, Tim Jesty, Monica Larade, Lori Leroy, Gerard Livingston, Agnes McFarlane. Special Assistance: Kevin Burton–Atlantic First Nations Help Desk, Sheldon Googoo–Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board.

Photo: Left to right, Top row: Nevada Pierro, Jane Basque, Allan Lafford, Dexter Paul, Susan Bernard, Colton Francis, Kirkland Bernard, Kassidy Bernard and Tenisha Marie Francis. Second row: Shawnee Paul, Promise Marshall, Riveriah Denny, Zoie Julian, Peter Doucette.

From UINR Marten – Vol.4. Issue.2 – Summer 2008