Innu Nation Uinipekᵁ Expedition 2024

Overview

The 2024 Innu Nation Uinipekᵁ Expedition is an initiative of Innu Nation that brings together traditional Innu knowledge and Western marine science to better understand the Labrador Innu marine zones in the Labrador Sea. This will further enhance skills development and capacity building in Innu communities.

The specific focus for 2024 is on young Innu coming together with a vibrant group of ocean leaders, researchers, and environmental stewards to forge a deeper relationship with each other and the lands and waters of Nitassinan (the Innu homeland). The expedition will expose Innu youth to the field of ocean science, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to pursue future career opportunities in marine and land stewardship.

The expedition will use the Mi’kmaq-owned icebreaker Oqwatnukewey Eleke’wi’ji’jit (MV Polar Prince) as the platform for the Innu Nation’s inshore monitoring and stewardship efforts in the marine zones near the communities of Natuashish and Sheshatshiu. The activities on board and on the land will help equip the community with the data to make evidence-based decisions about management of Innu waters.

Key Information

Route / Location

Leg 1: Sheshatshiu, Lake Melville, Innu Marine Zones, proceeding North to Natuashish. Leg 2: Natuashish, Davis Inlet, Iluikoyak and Ukasiksalik islands, and surrounding islands like Voisey’s Bay before returning to Natuashish.

Dates

Leg 1: July 1 - July 10 Leg 2: July 10 - July 19

Theme / Focus

Capacity and skills building, data collection, strengthened collaboration

Number of Participants

60 participants, staff, and crew

The Journey

Leg 1
The first leg of the expedition is a nine-day voyage departing from Sheshatshiu through Lake Melville. We will travel to Innu Marine Zones and weave our way along the coast to Natuashish. Along the way we’ll visit the Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountain National Park Reserve, remote islands, bays, and beaches. Each day will be filled with zodiac landings, hikes, workshops, research activities, data collection, storytelling, and much more.

Leg 2

The second nine-day leg of our journey will take us through the Innu Nation Marine Zones. Departing from Natuashish and travelling to the relocated community of Davis Inlet, we will visit sites on Iluikoyak and Ukasiksalik islands and surrounding islands like Voisey’s Bay before returning to Natuashish. Likewise, our days will be filled with zodiac landings, hikes, workshops, research activities, data collection, storytelling, and much more.

Purpose

Build capacity and skills within the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish, with a specific focus on youth
Increase understanding of the the Labrador Innu marine zones in the Labrador Sea by combining traditional Innu knowledge and western marine science
Gather local knowledge from community members and conduct field studies to inform future marine management and guardianship efforts
Strengthening collaboration between Innu communities, researchers, educators, and stakeholders

Impact

Empowerment through active participation in marine stewardship
Skill development in data collection, research, and environmental monitoring
Enhanced understanding of Indigenous-led resource guardianship and management efforts
Exposure to collaborative partnerships and potential career pathways

Expedition Partners

About Innu Nation:

The Innu Nation is the organization that formally represents the Innu of Labrador, approximately 3,200 people, most of whom live in the two Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish. The Innu Nation’s mandate is to speak as one voice to protect the interests of the Innu people and to oversee all its political and business affairs. It is a fundamental principle that Innu Nation will work toward sovereignty and self-government and also the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of its membership.