Are you from an Indigenous business that works on or around the ocean?

About the Project

Samqwane’jk connects Indigenous ocean businesses and ocean technology companies in Atlantic Canada to work in partnership to improve the sustainability of our oceans and our communities.

Samqwane’jk is a first-of-its-kind initiative led by Ulnooweg, in collaboration with the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE) and Upswing Solutions.

We’re inviting Indigenous ocean businesses to propose projects in partnership with companies at the Center for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE). At least three projects will be selected and supported to be rolled out over two years.

Samqwane’jk will:

Build partnerships with ocean technology companies to boost competitiveness
Enhance innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing for Indigenous and non-Indigenous ocean businesses alike
Offer training and business development support to Indigenous ocean businesses
Mobilize action to deliver measurable progress against the United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Project Milestones

June

Samqwane’jk is announced

July-August

Potential projects identified

September-October

Projects are selected

2022-2023

Projects are implemented with lessons shared

Take a look at our information presentation.

View Presentation

To stay informed about project updates, deadlines, and progress, please submit your information in the following form.

Keep Me Informed!

Samqwane’jk (pronounced suhm•kwan•āj•ka) means “Those who love the water”.

The whale or Putup (phonetically pronounced Bootup) was inspired by the Kluskap legend “How Glooscap Found Summer” where Glooscap enlisted the help of Whale to help get him to Southland in search of Summer. In this legend, Whale represents a loyal guide or helper, a mammal amongst the fish, and a wise friend to help you through.

In the logo, the breaching whale image represents the relationship between people and the ocean and our role both above and below the surface.

Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy

The Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy recognizes that “Collaboration with Indigenous peoples is crucial to Canada’s successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the central commitment to leave no one behind. Engagement with Indigenous partners and National Indigenous Organizations will strengthen cooperation to develop an integrated approach to advancing the peoples’ inherent right to self-determination and honour commitments under modern treaties and self-government agreements.”

Samqwane’jk will select at least three demonstrator projects to mobilize action and deliver measurable progress against the targeted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advancing Toward Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy. The project will build the capabilities of Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants alike to better understand and measure the impacts of SDGs and how they relate to their business and the sector(s) they operate in.

Selected and Supported Projects

Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services

Partners: Miawpukek First Nation and Horizon Maritime
Location: Newfoundland
Primary Contact: Richard MacLellan
Phone: 709-757-0183
Email: richard.maclellan@miawpukekhorizon.com
Sustainability theme: Economic and workforce inclusion (Indigenous)

With Samqwane’jk’s support, Miawpukek Horizon will be conducting a seafaring training program targeted towards Indigenous participants aboard their vessel, the Polar Prince.

Miawpukek Horizon has been developing seafarer and cadet recruitment and training solutions with both the Nova Scotia Community College and the Marine Institute. The company represents a formal joint venture between Miawpukek First Nation and Horizon Maritime.

With accommodations for 62, their operating vessel, the Polar Prince, provides an excellent platform for cadet development and sea time experience. In Canada, getting qualified regional seafarers is becoming more and more difficult. First Nations present the optimal demographic to supply seafarers. The Miawpukek Horizon program is designed to help overcome the systematic barriers to Indigenous candidates pursuing a seafaring career.

The objectives of our proposed program are to:

Provide valuable career opportunities to Indigenous youth
Reduce and eliminate systematic barriers preventing Indigenous youth from pursuing training to be professional seafarers
Provide opportunity for academically trained Indigenous seafarers to complete the necessary sea time experience to achieve their Transport Canada designations
Increase economic inclusion, through employment, of Indigenous seafarers
Reduce the Canadian shortage of seafarers
Maximize local and Canadian participation in emerging blue economy opportunities

3D Wave

Partners: First Nations in Atlantic Canada
Location: Atlantic Canada
Primary Contact: Barry Stevens
Phone: 902-624-1799
Email: info@stevens-solutions.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/3dwavedesign
Sustainability Theme: Climate Change Mitigation

3D Wave proposes to deliver 3D LiDAR Climate Change modeling software for six (6) or more First Nations (TBD) communities across Atlantic Canada.

3D Wave Design has developed proprietary ‘LiDAR ingestion software’ and created an interactive 3D visualization approach that readily communicates scientific sea level rise (SLR)/flood data and analysis for easy and rapid comprehension. This proprietary technology provides an important service allowing communities to model changes in their water table, flood zones, fire zones and prepare for changes in their surrounding environment due to climate change.

Sma’knis Maritime Safety & Security Inc.

Partners: NSCC Applied Energy Research Lab
Location: Nova Scotia
Primary Contact: Adam Kennedy
Phone: 506-686-1020
Email: adam@smaknis.com
Website: https://smaknis.com/contact-us/
Sustainability Theme: Climate Change Mitigation, Renewable Energy

Sma’knis wants to develop a prototype electric RHIB (“RHIB” stands for rigid-hulled inflatable boat) by incorporating an electric power source and battery bank to one of its 19-foot vessels.

This work is a continuation from a recently completed feasibility study Sma’knis did with NSCC in the Summer of 2021 to design and blueprint the implementation of an electric engine into their vessel.

The Partners

Ulnooweg Development Group • COVE • Upswing Solutions

Ulnooweg’s mandate is to empower Indigenous individuals, youth, and their communities in business, education, entrepreneurship and wealth creation. It does so by providing them with the tools, means, thought leadership, and genuine opportunities that lead to positive capacity building on a long-term basis.

As project lead, this project fulfills Ulnooweg’s mandate as an NGO while providing the opportunity for Ulnooweg to leverage their deep relationships with Indigenous businesses in Atlantic Canada towards Canada’s commitment to pursue SDGs while boosting innovation and sustainability in our Oceans sector for all.

COVE is the Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship.

Through resources and various programming COVE has attracted a roster of companies and innovative businesses who are developing and marketing new technologies for Canada’s ocean economy.

COVE will provide ocean technology expertise, facilitate connections with innovative ocean technology businesses that are part of the COVE ecosystem, and will lead the workshops as well as the communication strategy for the project.

Upswing Solutions is a consultancy based in Halifax, N.S. delivering high-impact strategies with actionable plans for companies that want to grow sustainable, inclusive and resilient businesses. Our experience spans global industries to small and medium-sized companies. In partnership with our diverse network of sustainability experts, we create commercial strategies that position organizations to thrive in the economy of the future.

Upswing will bring expertise in sustainable business strategy, environmental and social impact measurement and communication and provide a full suite of project management services on behalf of Ulnooweg.