IPCA

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas are vital to the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia as they offer our Nation a leadership role in protecting and managing places, within our traditional territory, that are essential to our Nation’s culture and spirituality.

Through Indigenous legal and stewardship concepts such as Netukulimk, Msit No’kmaq and Etuaptmumk, the Mi’kmaq have developed systems to manage and protect lands and resources, particularly those lands and resources that are sacred to Mi’kmaw spirituality, history and cultural continuity.

IPCAs are lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems. Culture and language are the heart and soul of an IPCA.

IPCAs vary in terms of their governance and management objectives. However, they generally share three essential elements:
• IPCAs are Indigenous-led
• IPCAs represent a long-term commitment to conservation
• IPCAs elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities

In 2015, Canada initiated a process to identify and protect 17% of their lands for ecological and heritage values. As a part of that process the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) was established to explore the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) throughout the country. The Mi’kmaq, through UINR, participated in this process. It was recognized that Reconciliation is not just required between diverse elements of society, it is also required more generally between humanity and the environment.

Related News

Blair J. Bernard Feast in the Highlands 2024

Blair J. Bernard Feast in the Highlands 2024

September 26, 2024Moose, Netukulimk, News

Our relationships with Tiam are deep and historic. When our ancestors signed treaties with the Crown, the treaties protected our right to hunt moose, as well as our right and responsibility to be stewards of moose according to Netukulimk. This way of life provides for the needs of our families and communities and also protects … Read More

UINR Partnership Tenets

UINR Partnership Tenets

May 12, 2021Aquatic Stewardship, Commerical Fisheries, Forestry, Guardian Program, IPCA, Library, Media, Moose, Netukulimk, Partnerships, Research

As a Mi’kmaw organization, we value insights from Western science and we also value our own ways of knowing and being. Given the interest in Two-Eyed Seeing, reconciliation and the need for many projects to collaborate and partner with Indigenous peoples, we would like to provide guidance on how this can be achieved with UINR. … Read More

FEAST in the HIGHLANDS

September 30, 2017Moose, News

The date is set. The feast is ready. Please join us at the Blair J. Bernard Memorial Annual FEAST in the HIGHLANDS. Thursday October 5 , 2017 from 12:30–2:00 PM Th At the paved airstrip 13 km from Hunter’s Mountain entrance(watch for signs) N 46.220834 W -60.811577 The Feast will include a campfire, outdoor cooking, … Read More

2016 Moose Harvest Completed

2016 Moose Harvest Completed

December 14, 2016Moose, News

UINR Moose Management Coordinator Clifford Paul reports “We are happy to announce that our moose harvest on North Mountain wrapped up on December 10, 2016. “This year we harvested 50 moose in a humane and respectful manner. “It was a very successful harvest, greatly due to the professionalism and enthusiasm of our harvest teams who … Read More

Get the LEAD OUT of the Highlands

Get the LEAD OUT of the Highlands

October 3, 2016Guardian Program, Moose

A free exchange of lead ammunition and fishing tackle will be held during UINR’s annual Blair J. Bernard Memorial Feast in the Highlands on Hunter’s Mountain on Thursday, October 6, 2016 on the Hunter’s Mountain. Bring your dangerous lead bullets and fishing gear and exchange for copper ammunition and eco friendly fishing tackle. Clifford Paul, … Read More

Moose is on the Menu at Annual Feast in the Highlands

Moose is on the Menu at Annual Feast in the Highlands

September 27, 2016Moose, News

Come for the feast and Get the Lead Out of the Highlands on Hunter’s Mountain on Thursday,October 6, 2016. We would like to invite you to our annual Blair J. Bernard Memorial Feast in the Highlands to celebrate work on developing a management plan for moose in Unama’ki. This year will feature free bullet and … Read More

Clifford in Ghana

Clifford in Ghana

July 12, 2016Moose, News

In June 2016 UINR’s Moose Management Coordinator Clifford Paul spent two weeks in the Republic of Ghana in West Africa at a workshop to share Mi’kmaw perspectives on the struggles and possibilities for indigenous peoples in building community resilience. Clifford sent us regular updates on his trip (when he had wifi!) While there he shared … Read More

How Old is That Moose?

How Old is That Moose?

March 24, 2016Guardian Program, Moose, News

Guardians from Unama’ki gathered at a day-long workshop in Baddeck to learn how to determine a moose’s age based on a close examination of its jaw bones. Jeremy Smith, Wildlife Technician with Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, conducted the workshop using material from the recent Parks Canada moose harvest in the Highlands. keith@uinr.ca

Moose Harvest in National Park Meets Goal

Moose Harvest in National Park Meets Goal

December 16, 2015Forestry, Moose, News, Partnerships, Research

The moose harvest in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is over for this year and, by all accounts, it was successful. Clifford Paul, UINR’s Moose Management Initiative Coordinator helped organize the harvest as part of our work with Parks Canada to reverse the trend of forest loss and begin to restore balance to the boreal … Read More

#Tiam Facts from the Mi’kmaw point of view

#Tiam Facts from the Mi’kmaw point of view

December 4, 2015Forestry, Moose, News, Partnerships

We’ve put together  some facts about the Mi’kmaw harvest in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, a partnership with Parks Canada to remove a small number of moose from a small area of the Park in an effort to restore the boreal forest. From the Mi’kmaw point of view, it’s an issue of stewardship, rights and … Read More

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