September 07, 2010 - Earlier this summer, GMRC began a project entitled “Calling back the salmon: Engaging youth in salmon enhancement activities”. A project designed to engage youth and to allow them to learn about the importance of salmon, of its habitat, and of the various organizations and individuals who are committed to protecting and enhancing this precious resource.

A group of twelve students and chaperones had the pleasure of visiting the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility and also the Atlantic Salmon Interpretive Centre in St. Andrews, NB. As part of the tours, the group of students were shown the latest methods in salmon conservation and research; as well as, other methods of identifying the age of salmon and their life cycle. 

The Calling Back the Salmon project is multi-faceted in that it is a project that spans multiple provinces and engages youth on the multiple aspects of the Mi'gmaq relationship with salmon. Not only were the youth able to learn about the efforts of different conversation groups in New Brunswick; they were able to experience, first hand, the Mi'gmaq relationship with salmon. 

So what is the Mi'gmaq relationship with salmon? That question has no simple answer, but it includes much more than the simple act of fishing. It involves the connection you feel with water, with the wind, and with your fellow Mi'gmaq. It is about the knowledge that is handed down to you, as you are being taught how to read and be aware of your surrounding world. It is about your responsibilities and not only your rights. It is about sharing what you catch with your community. It is also much much more. 

In August, some of the students had to the opportunity to partake in the salmon distribution to community elders. This is one of the last activities, and perhaps one of the most important. The spirit behind the distribution was to instill the value of giving back to your community and taking care of your elders. It was to show our youth, and our communities, that this is the way of our people, the L'nu.

In November, the youth who participated in this project will also be invited to share their experiences, at a gathering to be held in Listuguj. During this gathering, GMRC will also be presenting their work back to the community to obtain feedback and direction.

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