Reconciling Indigenous governance in marine spaces: Mi’kmaq engagement in tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy, N.S.
Date
2017
Authors
Brown, Taylor
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Abstract
Description
As activities in coastal and marine spaces in Nova Scotia continue to increase, the spatial availability for new development is becoming much more challenging. The shift toward renewable energy has sparked industry to begin the development of In-Stream tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy. Although space is limited, the potential of the development’s contribution is being considered to meet the renewable energy targets set in Nova Scotia’s Renewable Electricity Plan. Managing conflict with other marine users in the Bay of Fundy has become one of the biggest challenges in implementing marine renewable energy. Therefore, significant management decisions about the spatial planning of the Bay of Fundy should be made to ensure its sustainability for current and future generations. Management decisions that are made from a co-governance perspective can help to identify and mitigate issues. Involving Indigenous governance in managing marine spaces can assist the federal government toward reconciling a nation-to-nation relationship that has been discussed in both the public media and federal mandate. In addition, to reconcile and develop the nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples in marine spaces, it will be necessary to develop a standard of meaningful engagement for both government and industry. This research explores the importance of reconciling indigenous governance in the Bay of Fundy and highlights the necessity for meaningful engagement with Indigenous nations on behalf of the proponent in the development of the emerging tidal energy project in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia.