Developing an Equitable Framework to Support Indigenous Co-Governance of St. Anns Bank Marine Protected Area

• Main Author: McFarland, Armand Dominic
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Canada; Pacific; Breton Island; Mi’kmaq
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10222/82612

Marine protected areas (MPAs) comprise a large proportion of the conservation measures used to achieve the international conservation commitments of the federal government (10% of Canadian waters by 2010, and now 25% by 2025). There is a substantial overlap of Indigenous territories, and these ambitious federal goals may lead to infringements on Indigenous rights. Sharing management and governance of MPAs could work toward reducing these infringements. Due to a confluence of Mi’kmaq interest, historical treaty rights, and burgeoning federal support, St. Anns Bank MPA (SAB) located east of Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), may be a suitable location for implementing a framework of shared governance and Indigenous stewardship. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for the management of this MPA; however, the maritime region of this department lacks the extensive co-governance and relationship building experience present on the Pacific coast or within Parks Canada. This research explores the question: how can DFO equitably support and implement a framework of Mi’kmaq participation and co-governance in St. Anns Bank MPA? This question will be addressed with a two-pronged approach: a literature review will first investigate equity in the establishment, development, and management of two sites co-managed by Parks Canada, DFO, and the Haida Nation on the Pacific coast, to identify key principles. Identified principles are then applied using a comparative analysis between the East and West coasts to provide management, policy, and research insights for the co-governance of St. Anns Bank MPA. Keywords: Marine protected areas, St. Anns Bank, Indigenous governance, Co-governance, Equity, Justice