Source: Netawek Ikjikum Vol. 4 – Issue 4 March 2009
By IKANAWATIKET Regional Facilitator Joshua McNeely
Since the creation of the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Working Group (NSISWG) in September of 2007, IKANAWTIKET has been working with other NSISWG members from the Nova Scotia departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Transportation, Acadia University, Canadian Food and Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Clean Annapolis River Project, Cape Breton University, and others to organize and host the first ever Nova Scotia invasive alien species (IAS) stakeholders workshop.
The workshop, entitled Stepping Up: Planning for the Challenges of IAS in Nova Scotia, was held at Acadia University on December 3 & 4, 2008. Academia, provincial and federal government departments, ENGO’s, some small industry associations in Nova Scotia, concerned members of the public, and other provincial IAS groups from around Canada attended. IKANAWTIKET Joshua McNeely gave a short presentation setting the stage for the inclusion of Aboriginal Peoples in IAS related research, activities, and government policy and also handed out information about Aboriginal Peoples and organizations in Nova Scotia.
The Hon. David Morse, Minister of Natural Resources, gave some opening remarks highlighting the disastrous example of government inaction in Australia leading to massive outbreaks of invasive alien species in that country. Minister Morse stated that he is looking forward to receiving suggestions and recommendations on invasive alien species from the workshop, because we cannot let any Minister be asleep at the wheel and allow invasive alien species to be a problem in Nova Scotia.
As has been the continued practice of the Mi’kmaq in our relations with the government, IKANAWTIKET extended a hand to work with the government and other IAS practitioners in Nova Scotia to include Aboriginal Peoples in IAS activities, research, and policy development. Together, we can address the clear and present threat of invasive alien species in Nova Scotia. The IKANAWTIKET Regional Facilitator has been active in laying groundwork for the development of a new government-public-Aboriginal coalition in Nova Scotia called ISANS (the Invasive Species Alliance of Nova Scotia). Anyone interested in learning more about ISANS or its sister groups in New Brunswick or PEI, or if you are interested in learning more about invasive alien species in the Maritimes or participating in invasive alien species research or activities, please contact IKANAWTIKET at ikanawtiket@mapcorg.ca or (902)895-2982.
