The coltsfoot are flowering, the robins are returning, and the smelt are in the brooks!

Siwkw was a time when Mi’kmaq families gathered together their belongings and moved to the coast, relying on the resources of the lakes, rivers, and streams for their livelihood.

Besides the plentiful resources of the sea, summer camps were more visible, and could be easily found by family and friends travelling the shores.

And don’t forget that other benefit of the seaside breezes–keeping the black flies and mosquitoes at bay!

This is a special issue for The Marten. We have expanded our distribution to every family in the five Mi’kmaq communities of Unama’ki. We want as many people as possible to know about our natural resources and environment and how UINR is working on behalf of the people in Unama’ki.

As you will see in this issue, there is a lot of activity at UINR these days. Our staff is working hard to achieve Netukulimk for the Unama’ki community.

Netukulimk is achieving adequate standards of community nutrition and economic well-being without jeopardizing the integrity, diversity, or productivity of our environment. That’s our guiding principle at UINR and is behind everything we do.

I hope you enjoy this issue and if you have any comments, be sure to let us know.

lisa@uinr.ca

From UINR Marten – Vol.4. Issue.1 – Spring 2008