UINR is doing research on eels in the Bras d’Or Lakes and we are looking for 15 eels from fishers in each First Nations community. If you are spearing eels this winter and would like to help us with our research, give Shelley Denny a call at 379 2024 ext. 229 or toll free at … Read More
“I feel very lucky to do work every day that I believe in, that is consistent with my beliefs and my history, and to work with people of extraordinary talent and leadership.” Laurie Suitor is UINR’s Intergovernmental Relations & Partnership Advisor. Her job is to ensure that Mi’kmaq interests, concerns and priorities are included in … Read More
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 … Read More
A Story by Charlie Dennis Tribute to Frank Francis Frankie–Friend & Cousin I met Frank when my grandfather and I were visiting at his family’s home. Originally, we lived near the new elementary school, up on the hill where the Eskasoni Supermarket is today. Every chance I got I would spend visiting my grandparents who … Read More
Traditionally, the fall is the beginning of the Mi’kmaq year. As the birds began their flight south, Mi’kmaq people began their migration from the lakes and ocean to their inland homes. Birds, eels, salmon, moose, and beaver were plentiful and fall was the time to harvest and lay in supplies for the long winter ahead. … Read More
A Story by Charlie Dennis I was visiting Uncle Simon Gabriel on one of many evenings after a long day of fishing oysters in Malagawatch. Gabriel lay on his bed next to the warm stove. His mouth was full of chewing tobacco and there was a spittoon nearby. Often something was said by him or … Read More
A Story by Charlie Dennis My stories usually begin in Malagawatch or ‘Big Harbour Island’ as it’s called on the map. My principal Elders are Gabriel Sylliboy and Noel Francis. Other people were involved in some of the stories that were talked about around the campfire about the futuristic view of predicting the next day’s … Read More
Traditional Ecological Knowledge Workshop Proceedings For a taste of some of our findings, here are some quotes from the workshop. If the Elders before us were asked these questions about 50 years ago, they would have had all the answers. When they died, their knowledge died with them. We used to take home remedies from … Read More
Toqa’q (Autumn) is the beginning of the Mi’kmaq year. It is the time when salmon go back to the sea and our ancestors would return to the interior. The birds flying south, the eels in the rivers, and the moose in the forests gave us what we needed to survive from year to year and … Read More
CSI Cape Breton (Collaborative Salmon Initiative) is a new organization that was endorsed in Wagmatcook at a two-day workshop on Atlantic Salmon in Unama’ki/Cape Breton. Representatives from First Nations, government, conservation groups, scientists, academics, and recreational fishers met at “Dialogue on Plamu/Atlantic Salmon in Cape Breton.” The intensive workshop focused on many of the issues … Read More
“When I was a kid I walked through eelgrass beds. They are great nurseries. You would see a lot of minnows, pinfish, and eels and watch them swim away. I want to talk to youth to let them know that eelgrass beds are important nurseries. Eelgrass has decreased a lot. It is different today.” Fifty … Read More
by Albert Marshall On a bright sunny afternoon in June of 1955, the Canso Causeway opened to the general public. There were hundreds of people applauding on both sides of the Strait. The Strait was known to the Mi’kmaq as Tui’knek. The pomp and festivities were deafening. Among the group were some Mi’kmaq, huddled together … Read More