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Welcome ~ Pjila’si “The People of the Lakes Speak” November 8 – 10, 2016 Presentation to the AFOA International Conference Annie E. Johnson & Billy Taylor October 3, 2017
Welcome ~ Pjila’si “The People of the Lakes Speak”
November 8 – 10, 2016
Presentation to the
AFOA International Conference
Annie E. Johnson & Billy Taylor October 3, 2017
The Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental
Planning Initiative (CEPI)
Signed by First Nations, Municipal, Provincial and Federal officials
Committed to working
together on pursuing a vision, purpose, and objectives for the Bras d’Or Lakes Watershed
“All levels of government working together”
Bras d’Or Charter
“To lead a unique collaboration of partners that incorporate both traditional Mi’kmaq and western perspectives in order to foster a healthy and productive Bras d’Or Lakes Watershed ecosystem.”
Vision
“To develop an overall management plan for the Bras d’Or Lakes Watershed ecosystem and to facilitate its implementation by government and other relevant stakeholders.”
Purpose
“A balance of environmental, social, cultural and institutional objectives will be pursued to ensure the health and sustainable use of the Bras d’Or Lakes Watershed ecosystem.”
Objectives
The Spirit of the Lakes Speaks
The Spirit of the Lakes Speaks is a document created by the Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative [CEPI] with a vision for the protection and sustainability of the Bras d’Or Lakes and its watershed.
CEPI Chair, Senator Dan Christmas
• Saw that there was a lack of young people around the Bras d’Or Lakes
• Saw CEPI as a possible vessel to facilitate discussion on Sustainable Development in Cape Breton
Collaboration is Key • Brought together people from all
backgrounds from all around the Lakes • Formed a conference planning task
team and sub-groups for specific roles • Called for and hired a consulting
company to fulfill the Conference Coordination role and to take care of logistics.
The Conference
• November 8, 9 & 10, 2016 • Wagmatcook First Nation: Morning & Lunch Sessions • Baddeck: Afternoon & Evening Sessions • 320 delegates registered for various sessions
Focus & Sectors
• Focus on sustainability practices • 6 natural resource sectors:
» Tourism » Renewable Energy » Fisheries & Aquaculture » Mining » Forestry » Agriculture
-Outmigration is a huge problem in Cape Breton. How can sustainable projects with the Bras d’Or Lakes encourage people to stay or return? -What has/is the sector contributed/ing to the economies [private, public, social, cultural and natural] of the Bras d’Or? -What have been the cumulative economic, ecological and social costs of these contributions? - What is the potential of the sector to contribute to sustainable economies through the remainder of the 21st century? - What sustainable practices should be employed to best manage this sector for the long-term benefit of the Bras d’Or Biosphere?
Areas/Points of Discussion
The Youth Speak!
• Pre-conference surveys • High school surveys (128) • Young adults (165) • Elders (49) • NSCC – Strait and Marconi Campuses (1,100) • CBU on-line survey (260)
The Youth Speak!
• Plenary Session by CEPI Youth Leaders •Shane Cormier, Tracy George, Kelsie
Francis & Steven Googoo •Results presented:
» Why are you planning to leave CB? » 41%: Lack of jobs
Evening Sessions
• Day 1: Film – The Biosphere Reserve • Day 2: Play – Kluskap & the Big Frog
CEPI Golden Awards Honorary Degree – Charlie Dennis
Key Note Speaker
• Dr. David Suzuki • Live Streamed & Recorded • YouTube • Media interviews
Post Conference Debrief
• Planning Team met on November 29 • Management Team met on December
21 and January 24 • Proposing four next steps
Proposed Next Steps
1. Organize a CEPI Youth Conference • Spring of 2018 • NSCC Strait Area Campus • Task Team Co-Chairs » Waddie Long » Annie E. Johnson
Proposed Next Steps
2. Establish a CEPI Research Task Team •Coordinate various research activities
» Conference response data » Sectoral opportunities & market analysis » Statistic Canada data » Strategic Plan for CEPI
Proposed Next Steps
3. Initial Focus on 3 Sectors »Sustainable Forestry »Sustainable Aquaculture »Sustainable Tourism
Proposed Next Steps 4. Establish a Sustainable Forestry Task Team
» Define sustainable forestry » Access local expertise » Form partnerships » Develop new initiatives
Conference Outcomes
1. Conference Proceedings
2. Conference Report
3. Video
Conference Budget
Total Revenues: $215,609.00
Total Expenses: $204,629.90
Balance: $ 10,979.10
Conference Support The People of the Lakes Speak Conference was made possible with support from: • Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) • Atlantic Coastal Opportunities Agency (ACOA) • The Province of Nova Scotia • The five Mi’kmaq communities in Unama’ki • The municipality of Victoria County • Countless in-kind support via CEPI Partners
.
Thank You – Wela’lioq
Annie E. Johnson, Director of Administration, UINR 902-379-2163 [email protected]
Billy Taylor, Finance, UINR
www.brasdorcepi.ca
www.uinr.ca
