Sheshatshiu youth Ocean Pokue delicately cradles a starfish in her hand, describing the sensation as akin to a “worm with sugar all over it.” This marked her first encounter with a starfish, part of the myriad new experiences she encounters as a participant in the Innu Nation’s Uinipeku Expedition.
Jenny Hurley, another youth from Sheshatshiu, echoes Pokue’s enthusiasm, expressing her excitement for the daily novelty the expedition brings. The Uinipeku Expedition, now in its fourth year, embarks on an annual ocean science research voyage spanning Innu Nation marine zones between Sheshatshiu and Natuashish, unfolding over two legs within about two and a half weeks.
Aboard the MV Polar Athena, described as a “floating classroom and science lab,” the expedition hosts a diverse crew of researchers, educators from organizations such as Students on Ice, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Innu Nation, and more, alongside Innu elders, guardians, and youth participants.
Gioia Montevecchi, co-lead of the Uinipeku Expedition, emphasizes the program’s core objectives of ocean science and education, while co-lead Michael Hannaford highlights the project’s origins in Innu Nation’s quest for scientific data on conservation and economic prospects.
In late June, the Polar Athena docks near Amishku-Shipiss beach in Innu-Aimun, a segment of the Akami-Uapishk-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve. Inside the ship’s main gathering area, researchers and youth watch footage of underwater scenes, mesmerized by the vibrant marine life captured.
Claire Goodwin, the expedition’s dive team lead and a research scientist, elaborates on the footage featuring a rock wall in Lake Melville teeming with a variety of marine creatures. Meanwhile, youth apprentice Carla Jourdain from Sheshatshiu expresses her awe at the underwater visuals, now in her second year with the expedition.
Simultaneously, Innu cultural activities unfold on Amishku-Shipiss beach, offering Innu youth opportunities to engage in archaeology, foraging workshops, hikes, and traditional Innu art sessions led by Innu Cultural Guardian Jodie Ashini.
Jack Penashue, Innu Nation’s superintendent collaborating with Parks Canada, underlines the cultural significance of the national park reserve, emphasizing its historical relevance to Innu traditions and heritage.
Reflecting on the expedition’s impact, Penashue stresses the importance of preserving and sharing Innu culture, history, and environmental values with the younger generation, noting a shift towards increased cultural sharing within the community.
Organizers report a significant rise in interest in the Uinipeku Expedition over the past four years, with a surge in applications from Innu youth. They aim for the program to serve as a stepping stone towards further education or careers in conservation, witnessing participants like Hayden Gregoire, an 18-year-old from Sheshatshiu, expressing newfound aspirations for a career in scientific research prompted by his experiences during the expedition.