Latest news with #LeahMartin
Hamilton Spectator
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Funding announced for Mi'kmaq climate change initiatives in Cape Breton
MEMBERTOU - Mi'kmaw knowledge and tradition will spearhead the development of a climate change action plan over the next two years based on action priorities identified by five Cape Breton First Nation communities. Provincial funding of $893,750 for the initiative was announced in Membertou Tuesday by L'nu Affairs Minister, Leah Martin, on behalf of Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman. The funds will go to the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) for use in the five Cape Breton First Nation communities of Eskasoni; Membertou; Potlotek; Wagmatcook; and We'koqma'q. 'This is about building solutions that are rooted in Mi'kmaq ways of knowing and putting local communities in the loop,' Martin said. 'Climate change affects us all, but not all communities are impacted in the same way – that's why we are proud to support Mi'kmaq-led climate action that reflects Indigenous knowledge, priorities and ways of knowing. 'By working together in the spirit of Etuaptmumk – 'two-eyed seeing' – we can build a more resilient, equitable future for everyone in Nova Scotia.' Martin said: 'when we lean into the knowledge around us through Indigenous communities, we're in a good place.' 'Part of the reason we formed the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, is because we are really concerned about the state of our climate and we have all of the Island in our thoughts,' Paul said. He expressed concern about the future of the Bras d'or Lakes system and said all the chiefs are 100 per cent behind the work of the institute. He said sustainability is a high priority. 'Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our communities, and it requires solutions that are grounded in who we are as Mi'kmaq people. This investment supports our ability to lead with our knowledge, our values and our vision for the future. I commend the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources for continuing to bring our communities together to take action — for the land, the water and the next generations,' the Chief said. According to a press release, the UINR will use the funding to: UINR executive director, Lisa Young, stressed the importance of working in partnership to deal with climate change challenges. 'Our values and belief systems inform what we do and, more importantly, inform why we do things in a way that's mindful of the land and our relationships with land,' Young said. 'We look forward to working with the province and our many partners to develop approaches to climate change that are rooted in Mi'kmaq ways of knowing and being. Applying a Mi'kmaq lens helps us all work toward a more resilient Unama'ki.' LOCAL COMMUNITIES LEADING Article content Minister Martin had some thoughts about the importance of the UINR and local Mi'kmaq communities leading the project. Article content 'I think when you listen to community, that's what you hear from community. And I feel that community puts forward exactly what it wants to see and have happen. And so I feel whole and grateful when we're able to do that and provide funding to support Indigenous-led approaches,' she said. 'I take a lot of peace in the ancestors and in two-eyed seeing. I feel we're doing exactly that and listening to community. It's a really happy place to be.' Lisa Young said she feels there's a lot of excitement about that prospect of the project being Indigenous led. 'We speak many times to our elders and we know ourselves that Mi'kmaq traditional knowledge and belief systems hold the key to moving forward to addressing a lot of our environmental concerns,' she said. 'Just given the knowledge that indigenous peoples have stewarded these lands successfully for millions of years based on those beliefs and knowledge system is good. We look forward to having space to explore what that looks like in a modern-day context and how we can improve on how we approach things like climate change using that lens is a very exciting prospect and we're very hopeful.' The funding is being provided through Nova Scotia's climate change plan, 'Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth.' Article content QUICK FACTS Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
25-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Mi'kmaw chiefs want environmental racism report and recommendations released
The chief of Membertou First Nation says the report by a panel on environmental racism in Nova Scotia needs to be released. Terry Paul says he and other Mi'kmaw chiefs have discussed the matter and while they've not seen the report themselves, they believe making it public is an issue of accountability. "We agree that that report would be important for the people in Nova Scotia to know so that we can deal with those issues," he told CBC News. "That government report should be made public." The creation of the panel and its report was the result of an NDP amendment to a piece of major environmental legislation from the Progressive Conservative government in 2022. While the report was delivered to the province a year ago, little is known about its contents. Becky Druhan, the cabinet minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, would not say last month if she'd even read the recommendations. And while Deputy Premier Barb Adams said in March that the report is being used and shared across government, senior public works officials told a legislature committee earlier this month that they've not seen it. L'nu Affairs Minister Leah Martin told CBC News on Tuesday that she's seen the report, but she wouldn't share any thoughts on the document. "I really wouldn't want to take away from what we're here to do today," Martin said following an announcement she made with Paul of almost $900,000 in government support to help Mi'kmaw communities in Cape Breton respond to the effects of climate change. Martin did not appear to share Paul's view that the report and its recommendations should be made public. "The good work was done to inform government and it's done that. So I would say that with that, I respectfully feel like that work has been done in a good way."
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources in Cape Breton will receive $800K to help with climate initiatives
Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation is one of five Mi'kmaw communities in Cape Breton (Unama'ki). (Source: Province of Nova Scotia) The Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) in Cape Breton has received more than $800,000 to fund climate adaptation. The UINR will use $893,750 towards climate action rooted in Mi'kmaw knowledge, community priorities and culturally relevant approaches, said a news release from the province. The funding is provided through Nova Scotia's climate change plan, Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth. Leah Martin, minister of L'nu Affairs, made the announcement on behalf of Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman on Tuesday. 'Climate change affects us all, but not all communities are impacted in the same way – that's why we are proud to support Mi'kmaq-led climate action that reflects Indigenous knowledge, priorities and ways of knowing,' said Minister Martin. 'By working together in the spirit of Etuaptmumk – two-eyed seeing – we can build a more resilient, equitable future for everyone in Nova Scotia.' The UINR will use the funding to: - develop a climate change action plan for the five Mi'kmaw communities in Cape Breton- hire a Mi'kmaw climate change co-ordinator and project assistant- create education materials in English and Mi'kmaw founded on Mi'kmaw knowledge- develop a climate change monitoring program using culturally relevant indicators- advance community-identified climate action priorities 'Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our communities, and it requires solutions that are grounded in who we are as Mi'kmaq people,' Chief Terry Paul, CEO, Membertou First Nation. 'This investment supports our ability to lead with our knowledge, our values and our vision for the future. I commend the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources for continuing to bring our communities together to take action — for the land, the water and the next generations.' The UNIR represents the five Mi'kmaw First Nation communities in Cape Breton (Unama'ki): Eskasoni, Membertou, Potlotek, Wagmatcook and We'koqma'q. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
10-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Nova Scotia government creating engagement table to address gender-based violence
The Nova Scotia government is creating an engagement table to address gender-based violence in the province. The table, which will be led by Attorney General and Justice Minister Becky Druhan, will have up to 25 members. Members will include representatives of front-line service providers and community organizations, survivors, family members and academic experts. 'Nova Scotians have told us that gender-based violence supports and services need to be more connected, more responsive and easier to access,' said Druhan in a news release Tuesday. 'We need to work together with the people providing support and the survivors who access those services. It's about understanding needs as they evolve, getting help to people faster and working together to stop violence before it starts.' In September 2024, the government declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in Nova Scotia. Since October, police in Nova Scotia have reported the deaths of seven women and one man, allegedly from intimate partner violence. 'Gender-based violence is a complex issue, but it's one I know we can solve if we listen to the experts and find solutions, together,' said Leah Martin, minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. The province has also introduced domestic violence court programs in Halifax and Sydney and legal changes that allow victims of domestic violence to take leave from work without fear of losing their jobs. The engagement table will be supported by: the minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women the minister of Opportunities and Social Development the minister of Health and Wellness the minister of Addictions and Mental Health the minister of Education and Early Childhood Development the minister of L'nu Affairs the minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs A call for applications to join the table will be issued in the coming weeks. The group will meet at least every three months. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
