This spring if you happen to be fishing or canoeing in the Middle River in Victoria County you might encounter a strange looking contraption floating on the water. Resembling a giant funnel on its side, it’s a smolt wheel, also known by the technical term–”rotary screw trap”. The smolt wheel belongs to UINR, Unama’ki Institute … Read More
A normal day for Angela could have her attending a meeting in the morning, dissecting eels in the afternoon and consulting with student groups in the evening. Never a dull moment for UINR’s Research Assistant, Angela Morris! In 1999, Angela was one of the first graduates from the newly-built Eskasoni High School, and she went … Read More
Shrimp A Science Advisory meeting was be held in mid-December and all indications are that a 10% reduction in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) will be requested for 2011. Advice from science evaluation and industry will determine the 2011 overall TAC. Science recommended a 10% reduction and the shrimp fishing communities of Unama’ki encouraged industry representatives … Read More
Ask Heather Green about Kluskap’s Cave and prepare yourself to be transported to another time and place…a place where giants roamed the earth with powers that make today’s super heroes look weak by comparison. What is this fourth-year history major at CBU doing? Heather is working on an internship research project for UINR with … Read More
UINR wants to hear from YOU! We are looking for ideas from youth, Elders and everyone in between.Share your views on how to protect the Bras d’Or Lakes and the rivers and streams in the Wagmatcook community. Drop in Wednesday March 30, 2011 anytime from 2 to 7 pm at the Wagmatcook Culture and Heritage Centre. Food and … Read More
In a previous story (Oyster Garden 8 ) I spoke of changes in habitat due to climate change and rising sea levels. In that story I spoke of the island in Eskasoni that is no longer there. That island was located just behind the RCMP headquarters as we showed in aerial photos that illustrated that … Read More
It’s been an unbelievably busy season for Unama’KIDS with plenty of opportunities for the group to get outside and experience nature. We started off the season with a shoreline cleanup of the beach in Malagawatch where we picked up garbage. The biggest item we found was an old rusted car, but we weren’t able to … Read More
The Moose Management Initiative has been visiting communities across Nova Scotia, holding discussions on Mi’kmaq natural resource management issues that are at the forefront of our self-governance initiative. The community sessions have been going at a productive pace with notable attendance and impressive dialogue. Discussion is the key element for increased Mi’kmaq input into the management of … Read More
Elder Albert Marshall may have said it best: “Plamu was historically one of the staple foods upon which First Nations people depended. It was viewed as a gift from the Creator, and it seemed that it would last forever. That is obviously not the case: the species is threatened on a daily basis. It is … Read More
Plants have always been an important part of Mi’kmaq tradition, not just for food but as cures and prevention for many common ailments. Today it is not unusual to see Mi’kmaq Elders picking sweetgrass for ceremonies and other plants as cures for everything from stomach cramps to relieving the symptoms of the common cold. UINR … Read More
How is Serena Paul like Scotch tape? She holds everything together! Now if the tape came in pink (Serena’s favourite colour), the similarities would be complete. Serena is UINR’s Administrative Assistant, a fancy title for someone who does everything around the office from greeting visitors to operating the photocopier, organizing meetings and handling the mail. … Read More
A special workshop on plamu (Atlantic salmon) in Cape Breton is being held in Sydney on March 7 and 8, 2011. UINR and the Cape Breton Collaborative Salmon Initiative (CSI) are bringing together interested people, both Mi’kmaq and non-native, from around the Island to find ways to work together towards the common goals of increasing … Read More