An Etupatmumk (two-eyed seeing) approach to protecting biocultural diversity and caring for Msit no'kmaq (all my relations) in Unama'ki, Canada.

Biodiversity loss continues at an alarming rate but in order for transformational change to occur we need to know our place on Mother Earth. The Mi'kmaw Nation is located in eastern Turtle Island or what is now referred to as Canada. Their ancestral territory of Mi'ma'ki is unceded and falls under the Peace and Friendship treaties signed with the British crown in the 1700's. These treaties uphold the right for Mi'kmaq to practice their traditional activities and laws. Mi'kmaw guiding principles or laws handed down from generation to generation dictate how each individual is to act on land, sea, and sky. Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) was established in 1999, represents five Mi'kmaw First Nation communities, and operates on the principles of Netukulimk (responsibility to use resources wisely), Etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing), and Msit no'kmaq (all our relations). UINR works in partnership with Mi'kmaw communities, crown governments, academic institutions, and conservation organizations on projects that fulfill the responsibility to protect Unama'ki (Cape Breton Island) for future generations.

These wholistic and multi-dimensional projects can be categorized into colonial terms as co-governance of protected areas (marine and terrestrial), natural climate solutions (protection of old growth forests, barrier beaches, and nearshore vegetation), biocultural system services (using culture and ecosystems to create valuation), and bi-national biocultural landscape connectivity (Canada and USA). Using Etuaptmumk or two-eyed seeing, developed by Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall, means traditional and western science knowledges were used for decision-making in each project. Co-designing, co-learning, and co-governing projects lead to strong, respectful relationships with each other and Mother Earth. By implementing and monitoring these projects long-term, Mi'kmaq can demonstrate the power of culture, acting as a collective, traditional laws, and knowing your place. This presentation will give you an eagle's eye view of UINR's work and how it is changing the conservation landscape.