Roderick Haig-Brown Award

Before European contact, the Mi’kmaw peoples thrived throughout the Fundy watershed, nature’s resources and waterways providing all their necessities of life, for which the people felt great thanks. Today, there exists still a spiritual and respectful connection between the Mi’kmaq who live there and their natural environment.

The mission of the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group is to “promote and restore the concept of Netukulimk in the Bay of Fundy watershed.” Netukulimk can be interpreted as the philosophy of sustaining yourself and your community with the fruits of the Earth while also conserving them for future generations. The group’s work includes hosting multistakeholder symposiums on marine policy and running grassroots conservation projects on the Minas Basin, the Shubenacadie River, the Stewiacke River and multiple rivers in Pictou County. This is in addition to the extensive coastline work on the tidal barriers on the Bay of Fundy recognized by this award.

The Bay of Fundy area, of course, is famous for the tidal effects on the long shallow ocean bay. This Mi’kmaw Conservation Group project focuses on restoring vital tidal shorelines and clearing innumerable barriers — culverts, dykes, collapsed roadways — that impede ecologically essential tidal flow from reaching upstream to nourish the salt marsh habitat that’s beneficial for birds, fish and humans. This project is focused on creating restoration plans for 10 such barriers on the Bay of Fundy and completing the first restoration.

The Mi’kmaw Conservation Group is a program of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia, a tribal council and non-profit established in 1986 that assists its eight member communities in advancing “initiatives toward self-determination and enhancement of community.” It does so by delivering community programs and advisory services with uniquely Mi’kmaw perspectives, such as the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group. The group is also a member of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Atlantic Aboriginal aquatic resource and oceans management program.

Presented to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to furthering the sport of angling and the conservation, development and wise use of Canada’s recreational fisheries.