Coastal Zone Canada 2025 Conference information, including program and abstracts, can be found here
Abstract
This presentation explores the collaboration between The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM) Department of Aquatic Resources & Fisheries Management and the Ocean Frontier Institute’s Benthic Ecosystem Mapping and Engagement (BEcoME) project, to develop the Mi’kmaw Marine Atlas. Using ESRI ArcGIS StoryMap, the Atlas combines spatial mapping and narrative storytelling from the uplands to the seafloor of the inner Bay of Fundy. We sought to provide a revisionist illustration of knowledge, information, and data to reflect the holistic understanding of the waterways flowing in and out of the inner Bay of Fundy and the relationships with the Mi’kmaq, who have communal knowledge spanning over 12,000 years as stewards of the land and water. It incorporates past and current environmental work in the area while weaving Mi’kmaw Knowledge and scientific understanding throughout. The Mi’kmaw Marine Atlas aims to serve as a resource for Mainland Mi’kmaw communities in supporting their planning, education, and knowledge-sharing. This project emphasizes collaboration, the prioritization of cultural knowledge, and ethical data-sharing, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are central to the interpretation and dissemination of environmental information. The presentation highlights the shared efforts of The CMM and BEcoME in documenting community engagement and fostering a culturally informed approach to data sharing. Through this partnership, our understanding of the inner Bay of Fundy’s marine environments has deepened in a manner that honors Mi’kmaq traditions and contributes to the next seven generations.
Citation
White, K., Syliboy, A., Amiro, L. Fulton, L. Khan, J., Manuel, P., & Aporta, C. (2025). Following the flow of water: An atlas for Mi’kmaq marine knowledge. Coastal Zone Canada Conference, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, 9-11 June 2025.
Related Blog Post
Khan, J., Legault, A., MacDonald, B.H., Manuel, P., Margeson, M., Martinez Calderon, D., Webster, A., & Wells, P.G. (2025, July 30). Strengthening Coastal Resilience and Relationships: Reflections on the 2025 Coastal Zone Canada Conference. EIUI Blog. https://eiui.ca/strengthening-coastal-resilience-and-relationships-reflections-on-the-2025-coastal-zone-canada-conference/