Unama’ki Institute Receives Funding for Climate Adaptation
Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation is one of five Mi'kmaw communities in Cape Breton (Unama’ki). (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
Mi’kmaw communities in Cape Breton (Unama’ki) are strengthening their ability to respond to climate change with support from the Province.
The Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources has received $893,750 to lead climate action rooted in Mi’kmaw knowledge, community priorities and culturally relevant approaches.
Leah Martin, Minister of L’nu Affairs, made the announcement on behalf of Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman today, June 24.
“Climate change affects us all, but not all communities are impacted in the same way – that’s why we are proud to support Mi’kmaq-led climate action that reflects Indigenous knowledge, priorities and ways of knowing,” said Minister Martin. “By working together in the spirit of Etuaptmumk – two-eyed seeing – we can build a more resilient, equitable future for everyone in Nova Scotia.”
The Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources will use the funding to:
- develop a climate change action plan for the five Mi’kmaw communities in Cape Breton
- hire a Mi’kmaw climate change co-ordinator and project assistant
- create education materials in English and Mi’kmaw founded on Mi’kmaw knowledge
- develop a climate change monitoring program using culturally relevant indicators
- advance community-identified climate action priorities.
This investment reflects the Province’s recognition that Indigenous communities are key partners in climate leadership. The work led by the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources will help ensure that adaptation efforts are grounded in local priorities and traditional knowledge, building resilience in a way that is meaningful and lasting.
Quotes:
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our communities, and it requires solutions that are grounded in who we are as Mi’kmaq people. This investment supports our ability to lead with our knowledge, our values and our vision for the future. I commend the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources for continuing to bring our communities together to take action — for the land, the water and the next generations.”
— Chief Terry Paul, CEO, Membertou First Nation
“Our values and belief systems inform what we do and, more importantly, inform why we do things in a way that’s mindful of the land and our relationships with land. We look forward to working with the Province and our many partners to develop approaches to climate change that are rooted in Mi’kmaq ways of knowing and being. Applying a Mi’kmaq lens helps us all work toward a more resilient Unama’ki.”
— Lisa Young, Executive Director, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources
Quick Facts:
- funding is provided through Nova Scotia’s climate change plan, Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth
- this funding advances actions 8 and 53 of the plan, to support Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities to address climate change inequities, as well as increase climate change adaptation capacity in communities
- it also advances Goal 17 in the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act to fund climate-change action and community-based solutions in equity-seeking communities
- the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources represents the five Mi’kmaw First Nation communities in Cape Breton: Eskasoni, Membertou, Potlotek, Wagmatcook and We'koqma'q
Additional Resources:
Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf
Weathering What’s Ahead: Climate Change Risk and Nova Scotia’s Well-being: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/climate-impacts