Uplifting Indigenous Knowledge Systems - a Two-Eyed Seeing journey to protect and preserve our forested ecosystem in Unama’ki

Uplifting Indigenous Knowledge Systems - a Two-Eyed Seeing journey to protect and preserve our forested ecosystem in Unama’ki

Lisa Young

Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR)

Sherilyn Young

Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn (KMK)

 

Abstract

Canada and the world are facing a biodiversity crisis. The complexity of underlying issues spans across government departments, industry sectors as well as community, provincial and national boundaries. As divisive as these issues may be, our shared concern for the lands and waters that sustain and nourish us as Indigenous peoples brings us together to tackle these challenges. To do this, we must be open to new ways of thinking, approaches, and understandings that can start us all on a path to an equitable and just future.

It has never been a more crucial time to uplift Indigenous voices in conservation in an equitable and inclusive manner. The Mi’kmaq way of resource management includes a spiritual element that ties together people, plants, animals, and the environment. Forests managed by Indigenous communities are more ecologically rich and diverse. The Mi’kmaq are providing tangible opportunities and prosperity to our communities, while preserving the forests for future generations. Dr. Albert Marshall’s Two Eyed Seeing has guided the application of a community-led approach to forestry for the past 25 years. This collaborative approach has successfully fostered relationships with government, industry, academia and non-government organizations to coordinate forest management across jurisdictional and institutional boundaries and explore the application of science and technology through an Indigenous lens. We will share the successes and lessons learned on our Two-Eyed Seeing co-learning journey to achieve Netukulimk in the Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), Nova Scotia, Canada. 

Netukulimk is the use of the natural bounty provided by the Creator for the self-support and well-being of the individual and the community. Netukulimk is achieving adequate standards of community nutrition and economic well-being without jeopardizing the integrity, diversity, or productivity of our environment.