07/22/2026
What if the future of coastal resilience was being shaped by Indigenous communities themselves?
From June 21–27, 2026, ECO Canada delivered Indigenous Ocean Futures training in Digby, Nova Scotia, in partnership with the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM) and METS (Mi'kmaq Employment Training Secretariat).
Throughout the week, participants explored ocean technologies such as GIS mapping, remote sensing, drones, environmental sensors, and coastal monitoring tools, while connecting these approaches to generations of Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship.
But what made this training truly impactful wasn't just the technology. It was the conversations, the knowledge sharing, and the confidence that participants gained in their ability to make a difference in their own communities.
As one participant shared:
"Our trainer was amazing and I absolutely adored her. She was thorough and engaging the whole way through. We had many conversations throughout the course that meant a lot to each of us. She was able to make us laugh and drove the message home that we are each capable of making a difference."
Participants shared their observations of changing shorelines, fisheries, and local ecosystems while exploring concepts such as Whole Body Knowing and planning for seven generations. Together, these perspectives showed that effective coastal resilience is built by bringing Indigenous knowledge and modern tools together.
Through the Indigenous Ocean Futures Project, ECO Canada is proud to support Indigenous leadership in the Blue Economy and help communities build the skills, confidence, and capacity needed to shape their own environmental future.
Interested in bringing Indigenous Ocean Futures training to your First Nation or community? Let's start the conversation. Connect with us at [email protected]
