An important overarching goal, vision and objective of the Maritime Aboriginal Aquatic Resources Secretariate is instituting a multi-functioning team of Aboriginal professionals who can create collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders involved in aquatic resources, oceans management, the commercial fishing industry and decision making within a collaborative management body framework.
Each member of the MAARS team has specific roles and responsibilities. Together they share the tasks, knowledge, approaches and resolve to achieve the vision and role of Aboriginal Peoples in all aspects of aquatic resources knowledge, oceans management processes, commercial fishing industry planning, and decision making processes for the collective advancement and rightful share to aquatic resources for the sustained economic growth of the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples.
MAARS Governing Board
The Maritime Aboriginal Aquatic Resources Secretariate is an established secretariate of the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council. The Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council is the governing board of MAARS and approves policies. The operations and management of MAARS is handled by administrators.
MAARS Administration
MAARS is administered by a director and operates out of Truro, Nova Scotia. The approach and administration of MAARS is through task activities and a team effort. Each MAARS team member is a vital link to MAARS achieving its vision, mission, goals, and objectives. The sustained growth of the partners’ communities in the Atlantic commercial fishing industry, greater involvement in oeans management processes, decision making, and the contribution to the knowledge base about aquatic resources in and around the traditional homelands of the Mi’Kmaq, Malecite and Passamaquoddy is the catalyst for team effort and administration.
MAARS Services Team
Vanessa Mitchell
Executive Director, MAARS & MAPC Projects
Vanessa Mitchell was a summer intern for IKANAWTIKET as a River Technician for the Shubenacadie River: Shaping Lands and Communities Through Time project in 2016. After returning to school in the fall, she maintained her relationship with the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council by contributing research towards the MAPC response regarding changes to the Canadian Fisheries Act and later turned her attention back to the Shubenacadie River project.
Originally from Campbellton, New Brunswick, visions of Atlantic salmon jumping from the Restigouche River are never far from Vanessa’s thoughts. She now lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where she takes any opportunity to venture to the shores of the ocean, lakes, or rivers and breathe deep.
Vanessa recently earned her Master’s of Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University. She also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Saint Mary’s University where she focused on watershed and fisheries management – writing her thesis on measures to address conflict in fisheries. She is especially interested in how different communities relate to and interact with the natural environment and the resources found within. As one can imagine, there is immense opportunity to engage that interest within the MAPC/IKANWTIKET environment.
Administrative Support Clerk
Jennifer Onda
Contact: (frontdesk@mapcorg.ca)
Aquatic Resources Manager
Kathryn Townsend
Contact: (ktownsend@mapcorg.ca)
Habitat Impacts Advisor
Christina Davis
Contact: (cdavis@mapcorg.ca)
Environmental Policy and Species at Risk
Currently vacant
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