Chile

Indigenous rights and fisheries management

Prince Edward Island and Chiloe Island have much in common, including a reliance on potatoes, fisheries,
aquaculture and tourism; Aboriginal populations that struggle with health and social problems, as well as for rights and access to land; and youth who leave home for better prospects. Through this project, the partners aimed to strengthen the capacity of indigenous people on the two islands to manage fisheries and aquaculture development and to engage youth in these processes. The project also supported advocacy for public policies that support indigenous rights of access to natural resources for livelihood, as well as for social economy organizations that work with indigenous communities.

In early 2009, the researchers collaborated on several wellattended workshops, and the UPEI-ARCIS internship program was subsequently evaluated and extended. The partners arranged to send a graduate student to Chiloe to do her MA thesis research, while other projects at UPEI were initiated to help build capacity for work in Chiloe.

Late in the same year, Manuel Munoz visited UPEI where he participated in a research seminar, gave lectures to academic and community audiences, worked with Aboriginal and nonnative youth and travelled to indigenous coastal communities to meet and consult with Mi’kmaq elders and community leaders. “Chiloe has a much larger Aboriginal population that is more integrated into the mainstream,” said Irene Novaczek. “There is great potential for the Mi’kmaq people to learn from the Williche people (of Chiloe).”

The partnership continues to grow. In 2011, the partners offered workshops to the Williche Council of Chiefs on how seaweed could improve agricultural practices. In addition, interns on Chiloe Island published two research reports. Two Aboriginal interns, funded by CIDA, are expected to visit Chiloe in 2012.