In a captivating experience, Ocean Pokue, a young individual from Sheshatshiu, delicately cradles a starfish in her hand, likening its texture to a sugary-coated worm. This encounter marked Pokue’s first interaction with a starfish, occurring during the Innu Nation’s Uinipeku Expedition, where she and other Innu youth embark on a series of novel experiences.
Jenny Hurley, also from Sheshatshiu and part of the expedition, shares in the excitement of daily discoveries. Expressing anticipation for each new day, Hurley finds joy in the plethora of fresh encounters that come their way.
Now in its fourth iteration, the Uinipeku Expedition serves as an annual voyage of oceanic scientific exploration, traversing the marine territories of the Innu Nation between Sheshatshiu and Natuashish. Divided into two legs spanning approximately two and a half weeks, the expedition unfolds aboard the MV Polar Athena, characterized as a “floating classroom and science lab.”
Gioia Montevecchi, co-lead of the Uinipeku Expedition, underscores the program’s core objectives of oceanic study and educational enrichment. Co-lead Michael Hannaford elaborates on the expedition’s origins within the Innu Nation, initially driven by the quest for scientific insights concerning conservation and economic prospects.
On a sunny day in late June, the Polar Athena anchors near Amishku-Shipiss beach, a segment of the Akami-Uapishk-KakKasuak−Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve. Inside the vessel’s communal area on the fourth deck, researchers and youth engage in casual observation of morning underwater footage.
Dive team lead and research scientist Claire Goodwin details the vibrant marine life captured in the footage, showcasing a rock wall in Lake Melville adorned with an array of marine organisms. The youth apprentice Carla Jourdain, participating in her second year with the expedition, expresses awe at witnessing the underwater wonders alongside the majestic mountains.
While the dive team delves into the depths of Lake Melville for footage, various Innu cultural activities commence on Amishku-Shipiss beach. Ranging from an archaeological dig to traditional painting workshops, the activities offer a blend of educational and cultural experiences for the Innu youth participants.
Jack Penashue, the superintendent for the Innu Nation collaborating with Parks Canada on the national park reserve, emphasizes the area’s significance in Innu history and cultural heritage. Penashue stresses the importance of preserving and sharing these cultural practices with future generations and the broader public.
Over the past four years, the Uinipeku Expedition has witnessed a surge in interest among the Innu youth, with a notable increase in applications. Organizers aim for the program to serve as a gateway to further education and careers in conservation, fostering a deeper connection to Nitassinan, the Innu-Aimun term for “our land.”
Eighteen-year-old participant Hayden Gregoire highlights his newfound passion for science sparked by the expedition, expressing a desire to pursue a career in research. Gregoire’s enthusiasm mirrors the sentiments of other youth involved, who find the expedition a source of continuous learning and inspiration.