by Alanna Syliboy Department of Aquatic Resource and Fisheries Management

Restoring Healthy Watersheds Through Partnership

Nova Scotia’s rivers and freshwater ecosystems are vital to the health of the land, waters, and communities that depend on them. Recognizing the need for collaborative and science-driven restoration, the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM) has partnered with the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) and the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) to launch the “Shaping the Future of Nova Scotia’s Aquatic Ecosystems” initiative. Supported by the federal Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Fund (AERF), this four-year project is advancing freshwater restoration through the integration of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.

This initiative aligns with the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), a global movement dedicated to preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. By restoring freshwater habitats and strengthening community stewardship, this project contributes to the broader effort to heal and sustain natural landscapes for future generations.

A Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to Restoration

At the heart of this initiative is the principle of Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), which embraces both Indigenous ways of knowing and Western science to enhance conservation efforts. By fostering partnerships with Mi’kmaw communities and local watershed groups, the project aims to build capacity for effectiv ...