This fall through a community-based co-management course, I've enjoyed getting to learn more about Inuit leadership and the strength, collaboration and creativity of Inuit communities living in the Arctic. The three Inuit land claim agreements with Canada have collaborating co-management boards that help guide the Canadian government on setting quotas for instance on how many of a certain species should be allowed to be harvested. The Nanuk Knowledge and Dialogue Project is important in having Inuit voices heard about nanuk (polar bear) health, and so many more topics of importance with co-management.

Chief (Sakom) Hugh Akagi always has thought-provoking things to say, and the topic of reconciliation is no exception. The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King brought up many concerning truths of Canadian history and present reality, echoed in Akagi's reflections. 'How can you restore something that's no longer there?' We cannot have reconciliation, we cannot move forward to co-manage Turtle Island/Canada without knowing and discussing and accepting the truth. Those who were harmed must be part of the process and those who caused harm must be willing to admit the wrongs that were caused.

I love seeing this great co-management news stories like this. Revitalization of polluted rivers like the beautiful Skutik along the Maine/ New Brunswick border is critical to healing ecosystems and relationships between Indigenous people and white settlers of this land. Great to see the Statement of Cooperation signed and Canada playing a more active role in reconciliation along the Skutik.

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  • this is definitely seeing evolution through a Buddhist lens!
  • mara - maintain status quo
  • bodhisattva - infinite transformation