Blue Futures Pathways & National Geographic Pristine Seas Expedition

In August of 2022, the SOI Foundation partnered with National Geographic Pristine Seas on an expedition through James Bay, Hudson Bay, and the marine waters of northern Labrador - visiting high priority, largely understudied underwater ocean ecosystems as identified by local Indigenous groups. The SOI Foundation (5 youth and 4 educators) joined for a two-week segment of the expedition to introduce the youth to career paths in the Sustainable Blue Economy and to learn more about marine and Indigenous-led conservation.

The expedition was a unique opportunity to interact with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, ship crew, and media both on and off the ship. Activities included tundra research, Beluga whale research, shallow nearshore sampling of marine life, eDNA collection, hydrographic surveying, deckhand duties, drone operation, and documentary film.

Indigenous Ecological Knowledge was a key emphasis of the program, with an emphasis placed on the knowledge of the students themselves. Links were drawn between Canada’s colonial past, the challenges faced moving ahead, and the importance of Indigenous assertion of Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship in these areas.

It was an incredible expedition. Hudson and James Bay is a stunning area of vast horizons, beaches, bluffs and tidal flats filled with polar bears and tundra life. Our SOI team became very close and we integrated well with Pristine Seas, forging long-lasting friendships and memories. I consider this expedition a highlight of my career.

Read a full expedition recap here!

Credits

Client: SOI Foundation

Role: Expedition Media, Workshop Facilitator

Partners: National Geographic Pristine Seas, Oceans North, Miawpukek Horizon Maritime.

SOI Expedition Team: Jennifer Williams, Valerie Courtois, Jim Narroway, Craig McCallion, Mac White

Themes: Indigenous-led Marine Conservation Areas, Jobs in the Sustainable Economy, and the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of James and Hudson's Bay

Location: Churchill and Western Hudson Bay along the coast of northern Manitoba (Treaty 5), Mushkegowuk marine region in James Bay (Ontario) Eeoyou Istchee marine region (Quebec)

Vessel: Oqwatnukewey Eleke’wi’ji’jit (The Polar Prince)

Youth on our expedition were from Churchill, Coral Harbour, Moosonee, Waswanipi, and Inukjuak.

2022

Storytelling Workshop Facilitator

The expedition also contained Learning Module 1 for Blue Futures Pathway, an introductory course for students interested in engaging with the Sustainable Blue Economy. Working hands-on with a tight-knit group of students (5 students, 4 educators) allowed us to explore a wide range of topics in detail and tailor the education to each student’s experience. These workshops involved discussions around organizing for change in our communities, acting within and beyond our spheres of influence, storytelling, and a brief overview of Canadian colonial history. Our top priority was creating a safe space for students to students to learn, experience new opportunities, and feel comfortable sharing stories about their communities, their identity, and their goals in life.

I facilitated a three-part workshop around storytelling. It was designed to make students laugh, to self-initiate vulnerability, create meaningful connections, and to learn the basics of interviewing for documentary film. This culminated in students conducting interviews with each other and creating content for The National Geographic’s Society social media.