Wisqoq | Black Ash Fraxinus nigra Wisqoq (Black Ash) have long held a special place in Mi’kmaq culture. Black Ash has a porous quality that allows it to be pounded into splints for use in basketry. Young black ash has bark that looks like cork. The wood is very unusual: when pounded, it splits into … Read More
Pjila’si – Welcome to the second issue of the UINR MARTIN. We have been busy since our last newsletter and in this issue we’ll try to fill you in on some of our current projects and activities. The issue of moose management has been getting a lot of attention lately and I am happy to … Read More
Dr. John Harker, President and Vice-Chancellor of Cape Breton University and Chief Terrance Paul, President of UINR, signed a Memorandum of Understanding formally recognizing the shared interests of CBU and UINR in the well-being of society and its environment in Unamaki. It provides a formal mechanism for the institutions to work cooperatively on the common … Read More
The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a bird found only in North America and is currently listed under the Species At Risk Act (SARA) as endangered. The adult is a small, sandy-colored bird with a white underbelly and black ring around its neck. Other distinctive features include a black band across its crown, an orange … Read More
Pitu’paq was pleased to welcome Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour’s Deputy Minister Bill Lahey to its November meeting. Mr. Lahey was impressed with Pitu’paqâ’s collaborative process and congratulated the group on their successes to date. Recognizing that there is much more to accomplish, Mr.. Lahey brought a letter of support from his Department … Read More
In an historic move towards developing a comprehensive management plan for the Bras d’or Lakes watershed, Cape Breton chiefs, mayors, wardens, and provincial and federal government partners signed The Bras d’Or Charter, committing to work together to pursue the vision, purpose and objectives of the Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative. (CEPI) CEPI’s vision … Read More
Unama’ki artist Arlene “Dozay” Christmas is the person behind UINR’s unique logo. We contacted Dozay to ask her about the symbolism she used in designing our logo and here’s what she had to say. The logo represents the sacred balance we have with Mother Earth, and the very fragile ecosystem, which is represented by the … Read More
by Jackie Drinnan When I was eight years old, my grandmother Ellen Simon and I were picking blueberries in a field in Wagmatcook, near where the school is today. We were always out picking something, whether it was berries or medicine for the family. We were always together and she always taught me something new … Read More
Wisqoq or Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra Marsh) is a very rare tree in Nova Scotia, with fewer than 300 mature trees identified by UINR staff. The wood is very unusual–when pounded, it splits into thin sheets along its growth rings. Baskets are woven from slats produced by pounding a wet block of wood until it … Read More
by Elder Albert Marshall Cape Breton Mi’kmaq Elders have added our voice to the many environmental groups, fishermen’s unions and ordinary citizens opposed to Texas company Hunt Oil’s seismic testing in Sydney Bight. The testing covers an almost 1000 square kilometer area and is as close as 10 kilometers off shore. The Mi’kmaq community was … Read More
A Story by Charlie Dennis This is in reference to my story in the last issue of Martin about the Oysters and my old friend Gabriel. If some of you took a guess (or were stumped!), the important tool was Cod Liver Oil. You are probably wondering “What the?!” Why would a person use oil … Read More
Congratulations to the winners of the UINR/Georgia Pacific Schlorships. The fund is to promote and encourage education and careers in the field of Science and/or Technology […]