Building on the success of the last two years, IOI Canada delivered an interdisciplinary workshop on Coastal and Ocean Governance for Indigenous Peoples in October. This year's venue was Millbrook, a Mi'kmaq community about 60 miles from Dalhousie University. As before, this in-person training was planned with and for Indigenous Peoples from Mi’kma’ki, Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkatik (Maritime Provinces).
Presentations, discussions and videos focused on a range of issues related to coastal and ocean governance, with particular attention to Indigenous needs, perspectives and knowledge systems. Topics included law the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), fisheries and aquaculture, earth observation, conservation and alternative energy, and they covered a range of angles from cutting-edge technology to the richness of traditional Mi’kmaq language in the aquatic context. Lectures were complemented by field trips on two days: a tour of a land-based aquaculture operation and a visit to the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre.
Presentations, discussions and videos focused on a range of issues related to coastal and ocean governance, with particular attention to Indigenous needs, perspectives and knowledge systems. Topics included law and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), fisheries and aquaculture, earth observation, conservation and alternative energy, and they covered a range of angles from cutting-edge technology to the richness of traditional Mi’kmaq language in the aquatic context. Lectures were complemented by field trips on two days: a tour of a land-based aquaculture operation and a visit to the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre.
A total of 20 speakers, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, shared their knowledge and expertise over the five days. It was particularly nice to welcome back two of our Indigenous alumni as presenters, one from the 2018 two-month training programme and the other from the 2022 workshop. Special acknowledgement should also be made of the key week-long contribution of the Chief of the Peskotomuhkati Peoples as one of the co-moderators. Details of the speakers and the syllabus are available on the IOI Canada website and the workshop report will be posted there when available. Major financial support for this event was provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, supplemented by a contribution from IOI.
