More than 50 First Nations representatives gathered in Uashat mak Mani-utenam to discuss the future of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf.
From November 25 to 27, the Shaputuan Museum hosted the 3rd edition of Around the River, a gathering event that brought together 52 participants from 11 coastal communities of the Innu, Mi’gmaq, Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk and Wendat Nations, as well as representatives from 10 organizations.
Among the organizations present: Pêcheries Uapan, Pêcheries Shipek, Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative, Gespe’gewa’gi Institute of Natural Understanding (GINU), Agence Mamu Innu Kaikusseht (AMIK), Association de gestion halieutique autochtone Mi’gmaq et Wolastoqey (AGHAMW), Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP).
Rich Exchanges Around Three Key Themes
Over three days, participants explored together marine spatial planning, collaboration between Indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge, and Indigenous fisheries. Essential topics for strengthening First Nations’ mobilization and stewardship over their marine territories.
Marine Spatial Planning: Mapping the Future
The first day highlighted several inspiring initiatives. Among others, ITUM and DFO jointly presented a marine spatial planning project for the Aishkat Shipeku sector. The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq shared its marine atlas of Nova Scotia, a valuable tool for documenting and protecting marine territories. AMIK and AGHAMW facilitated a collaborative workshop to inform the marine spatial planning harmonization committee.
Two-Eyed Seeing: Bridging Perspectives
The second day explored the concept of two-eyed seeing, an approach that unites Indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge in a spirit of mutual respect. GINU shared its vision and experience of this collaborative approach.
Participants also discovered the Sainte-Anne Bank marine protected area project, jointly managed and presented by the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative and DFO’s Ocean Management Division, as well as several ongoing marine conservation initiatives (northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Banc-des-Américains, Saguenay, Anticosti-Mingan), supported by DFO and MELCCFP.
A highlight of this day: the teueikan performance offered by Jean-Pierre Fontaine, Innu artist, who generously shared his vision of this sacred instrument with participants.
Indigenous Fisheries: Sharing Concerns and Solutions
The last day allowed for an open discussion around Indigenous fisheries. Participants exchanged on their common concerns and shared their ongoing initiatives, thus strengthening ties between the communities and organizations present.
An Event for the Future
Around the River is much more than a conference: it is a meeting space where lasting collaborations are woven, where knowledge is shared with respect, and where concrete solutions are born to protect our marine territories.
Acknowledgments
We wish to thank all participants for their presence and their contributions.
Special thanks to our presenters:
- Maggie Régis Pilot – Project Manager at Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (ITUM)
- Patricia Glaz – Senior Biologist in Marine Spatial Planning at DFO
- Pierre-Jean Harnois – Analyst in Geomatics, Marine Planning and Conservation at DFO
- KKelsey White – Program Manager at CMM
- Leah Fulton – Cartographer and Planner at CMM
- Marilou Vanier, Executive Director at AMIK
- Jacob Nolet Deschesnaux – Marine Spatial Planning Project Manager at AGHAMW
- Craig Isaac – Senior Aquatic Research Technician at GINU
- Gullege Isaac – Research Technician at GINU
- Bec Borchert – Marine Protected Areas Coordinator at Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative
- Camille Mancion – Ocean Management Biologist at DFO
- Renée Gagnée – Acting Team Lead Marine Conservation at DFO
- Arianne Savoie – Senior Marine Conservation Biologist, Marine Planning and Conservation at DFO
- Alexandre Mccutcheon – Geomatics Analyst, Marine Conservation and Aquaculture at DFO
- Marie Lionard – Marine Protected Areas Project Manager at MELCCFP
Tshinashkumitin to Marie-Marthe Fontaine, elder from Uashat, for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Tshinashkumitin to Denis Vollant from Mani-utenam, for the extraordinary facilitation throughout the event.
Thank you to Marie-Ève D’amour, graphic designer, for the graphic facilitation during the event.
And finally, Tshinashkumitin to Jean-Pierre Fontaine for his sharing around the teueikan.