Here, four Nova Scotia communities are highlighted in a celebration of community level governance, traditions, and culture. At the first plenary event of the 2018 Communities, Conservation and Livelihoods conference, speakers shared insight, experience and reflections from their respective communities.

Bear River First Nation was presented by Christiana Louwa (an indigenous woman from Kenya, director of the El Molo Forum, and co-chair of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples) on behalf of Dr. Sherry Pictou, a Mi’kmaw woman from L’sɨtkuk (water cuts through high rocks) who works in Women’s Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University. She has served the broader Mi’kmaw community in several capacities including being elected Chief for her community and as a former co-chair of the World Forum of Fisher People.

Sheet Harbour was showcased by Sandra Moser, Executive Director, Sheet Harbour Chamber of Commerce & Civic Affairs. She described local work taking place in community development and in developing Eastern Shore-wide sustainable tourism through the Wild Islands Tourism Advancement Partnership.

The entrepreneurial cultural work of the Eskasoni First Nation was detailed by Stan Johnson, who spoke about environmentally sustainable promotion, development of ecotourism businesses such as guided walks on Goat Island Trail, and work with fisheries. Stan is a Mi’kmaq from Eskasoni, in Cape Breton, with 10 years’ experience at the Eskasoni Economic Development Corporation.

Spryfield (a neighbourhood of Halifax) was presented by Bruce Holland, founding member of the Spryfield Business Association and Parkview newspaper. He provided insight regarding how business development and community spirit go hand-in-hand.

Key Themes:

Governance, Rights & Conflict,  Indigenous Issues,  Engagement, Education & Empowerment,  Places & Spaces

Video and presented material:

Note that the video is ‘audio only’ for the first 7 minutes. Below the video is a visual PowerPoint that opens in a new tab when clicked.