Ocean Pokue, a young individual from Sheshatshiu, is seen holding a starfish delicately in her hand.
Describing the sensation, she likened it to a worm coated in sugar, conveying the novelty of the experience as a first-time encounter with a starfish.
Pokue, alongside other Innu youth aboard the Innu Nation’s Uinipeku Expedition, is immersed in a series of initial experiences.
Jenny Hurley, another participant from Sheshatshiu, echoes a similar sentiment, expressing her daily excitement for new discoveries.
Now in its fourth iteration, the Uinipeku Expedition is an annual venture focusing on ocean science research, navigating through Innu Nation marine areas between Sheshatshiu and Natuashish over a span of approximately two and a half weeks.
Conducted on the MV Polar Athena, described as a floating classroom and science laboratory, the expedition accommodates researchers, educators from entities like Students on Ice, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Innu Nation, and more, in addition to Innu elders, guardians, and youth participants.
Gioia Montevecchi, co-leading the Uinipeku Expedition, emphasizes the dual focus on ocean science and education within the program.
Co-lead Michael Hannaford notes that the initiative originated from Innu Nation’s quest for scientific insights regarding conservation and economic prospects.
“The main motivation for this endeavor was to gather knowledge on these areas, understand them better, and document their characteristics,” Hannaford explained.
Innu youth cherish the sight of mountains
During late June, the Polar Athena is stationed near Amishku-Shipiss beach in Innu-Aimun, part of the Akami-Uapishk- KakKasuak−Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve.
Inside the main gathering area on the ship’s fourth deck, researchers and youth observe underwater footage captured earlier that day.
The Uinipeku Expedition, in its fourth year, sails through Innu Nation marine zones with a crew comprising Innu youth, scientists, and educators. This journey is a collaborative effort between Innu Nation and Students on Ice Foundation. The expedition, starting from Sheshatshiu, heads towards the Mealy Mountains. CBC reporter Andrea McGuire joined