The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a bird found only in North America and is currently listed under the Species At Risk Act (SARA) as endangered. The adult is a small, sandy-colored bird with a white underbelly and black ring around its neck. Other distinctive features include a black band across its crown, an orange … Read More
Pitu’paq was pleased to welcome Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour’s Deputy Minister Bill Lahey to its November meeting. Mr. Lahey was impressed with Pitu’paqâ’s collaborative process and congratulated the group on their successes to date. Recognizing that there is much more to accomplish, Mr.. Lahey brought a letter of support from his Department … Read More
In an historic move towards developing a comprehensive management plan for the Bras d’or Lakes watershed, Cape Breton chiefs, mayors, wardens, and provincial and federal government partners signed The Bras d’Or Charter, committing to work together to pursue the vision, purpose and objectives of the Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative. (CEPI) CEPI’s vision … Read More
Unama’ki artist Arlene “Dozay” Christmas is the person behind UINR’s unique logo. We contacted Dozay to ask her about the symbolism she used in designing our logo and here’s what she had to say. The logo represents the sacred balance we have with Mother Earth, and the very fragile ecosystem, which is represented by the … Read More
by Jackie Drinnan When I was eight years old, my grandmother Ellen Simon and I were picking blueberries in a field in Wagmatcook, near where the school is today. We were always out picking something, whether it was berries or medicine for the family. We were always together and she always taught me something new … Read More
Wisqoq or Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra Marsh) is a very rare tree in Nova Scotia, with fewer than 300 mature trees identified by UINR staff. The wood is very unusual–when pounded, it splits into thin sheets along its growth rings. Baskets are woven from slats produced by pounding a wet block of wood until it … Read More
by Elder Albert Marshall Cape Breton Mi’kmaq Elders have added our voice to the many environmental groups, fishermen’s unions and ordinary citizens opposed to Texas company Hunt Oil’s seismic testing in Sydney Bight. The testing covers an almost 1000 square kilometer area and is as close as 10 kilometers off shore. The Mi’kmaq community was … Read More
A Story by Charlie Dennis This is in reference to my story in the last issue of Martin about the Oysters and my old friend Gabriel. If some of you took a guess (or were stumped!), the important tool was Cod Liver Oil. You are probably wondering “What the?!” Why would a person use oil … Read More
Congratulations to the winners of the UINR/Georgia Pacific Schlorships. The fund is to promote and encourage education and careers in the field of Science and/or Technology […]
The Pitu’paq Partnership is moving forward with their comprehensive plan to address sewage in the Bras d’Or Lakes. Â They have been working on a Green Municipal Fund application which would complete feasibility studies for sewage management in key area of the Bras d’Or Lakes. These would include Sampsonville, East Bay, Potlotek (Chapel Island), Waycobah, Dundee, … Read More
The Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources is developing a comprehensive report describing the state of the Bras d’Or Lakes that can be used as reference for governments, managers, resource planners, academia, the tourism sector and the general public as a citable source of quality, relevant and current information on multiple aspects on the Bras d’Or … Read More
The Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI) is formed of Mi’kmaq, community, industry and government partners who have come together to devise a management plan for the Bras d’Or Lakes. With two successful workshops under their belt, CEPI has been given clear direction from both government and community on priority issues and the means to address … Read More