SOI Foundation Renews Partnership with Innu Nation
19 Junio 2024 - 8:45AM
The SOI Foundation and Innu Nation are thrilled to announce the
renewal of their partnership for the upcoming Innu Nation Uinipekᵁ
Expedition set to take place from July 1 to July 19, 2024.
The Innu Nation Uinipekᵁ Expedition is an initiative of Innu
Nation to create exposure for Innu youth in marine science and to
gather data for management of Innu Nation’s waters. The experience
will combine both Innu environmental knowledge and western
marine science.
The expedition will take place aboard the MV Polar Prince and
helps support the Innu Nation’s inshore monitoring and
stewardship efforts in the marine zones near the communities
of Natuashish and Sheshatshiu. This expedition aims to collect and
share knowledge required for evidence-based decisions on
best-practice for marine management.
Innu Tshenut (Elders), Guardians, leaders, and community members
from Sheshatshiu and Natuashish Innu First Nation Reserves and
researchers and educators will collaborate to deliver hands-on
experiential programming. Innu youth will learn how
interdisciplinary research is conducted. Activities will
include water sampling, deep sea surveys, beach and coastal
environment surveys, seabird and marine mammal observation, among
others. This data collection is crucial to the Innu Nation’s
efforts in recording long term environmental changes in its
priority marine areas.
“This expedition represents a significant step towards our
shared goals of marine management, community empowerment, and
Indigenous-led guardianship,” said Grand Chief Simon Pokue of
the Innu Nation. “This is a meaningful relationship for our people.
We are excited to embark on this journey once again to empower
our youth and communities.”
As an Innu-led capacity-building research program, the
expedition provides a unique and innovative model for a
two-eyed seeing approach to ocean management. Building on
the experiences and learnings from 2023, which gathered more
ocean science data than has ever been gathered in these areas,
the Innu Nation will continue with its marine stewardship
priorities. The specific focus for 2024 is on young Innu coming
together with a vibrant group of western scientists and Innu
knowledge keepers to forge an interest in and understanding of
the lands and waters of Nitassinan (the Innu homeland).
"SOI Foundation is honored to continue our partnership with the
Innu Nation for another important and successful expedition,"
said SOI Founder, Geoff Green. "This year's focus on youth
engagement and skills development underscores our commitment to
fostering leadership and stewardship for our coasts and
ocean."
The expedition will explore two marine zones in central and
northern Labrador. Leg 1 will take place from July 1st to July
10th and Leg 2 from July 10th to July 19th.
The Innu Nation Uinipekᵁ Expedition is made possible through a
collaborative effort between Innu Nation and Students on Ice
and with the support of federal and other Indigenous partners:
Ulnooweg, Mamu Tshishkutamashitau Innu Education, Mushuau Innu
Natuashish School, Sheshatshiu Innu School, Canada Goose, the
Canadian Museum of Nature, Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Canadian
Wildlife Service.
For more information and updates on the expedition, please
visit soifoundation.org/en/innu-2024/ and follow Innu Nation
and the SOI Foundation Facebook pages.
About Innu Nation
The Innu Nation is the organization that formally represents the
Innu of Labrador, approximately 3,200 people, most of whom
live in the two Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and
Natuashish. The Innu Nation's mandate is to protect the interests
of the Innu people and to oversee all its political and
business affairs, including the fundamental principles
of working towards sovereignty and self-government and the
physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of its
membership.
About the SOI Foundation
SOI is at the forefront of expeditionary education, offering
transformative experiences to diverse youth worldwide. Our
expeditions to the Polar Regions and places in between
unite youth and educators, foster lasting connections, and
encourage global citizenship. Our mission is to provide
transformative experiences that educate, inspire, connect
and empower youth. For more information, visit
soifoundation.org.
- SOI Foundation Renews Partnership with Innu Nation
Justin Sadler
Students on Ice Foundation
(613) 807-7132
media@studentsonice.com
Donna Paddon
Innu Nation Communications
(709) 899-5799
donna.paddon@kashkuan.ca