Baie-Comeau, QC

The Sustainability Research Effectiveness (SRE) Program at Royal Roads University, in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association, arranged an event around co-developing sustainability and reconciliation. Dr. Brian Belcher and Dr. Paivi Abernethy co-organized the event, ‘Co-building Sustainability and Reconciliation’. The Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, hosted the event.

The event brought together Indigenous leaders, biosphere reserve practitioners, academic researchers, and government stakeholders. Representatives from 17 of Canada’s 18 biosphere reserves attended. Participants discussed experiences to date, lessons learned, and new ways forward. One of the questions posed during the event prompted thinking on “What does reconciliation mean to you?”. At the event, all Canadian biosphere reserves committed to reconciliation as an additional pillar of their mandate. Learn more about the event from the video below.

Incorporated as a non-profit association in 1997, CBRA provides networking and support to develop and maintain biosphere reserves throughout Canada. Through CBRA, people in biosphere reserves maintain communications within and between related organizations, and collaborate on shared projects. Moreover, CBRA assists the exchange of local expertise among biosphere reserves in Canada and beyond.

Learn more about the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association and the Co-building Sustainability and Reconciliation event. Read more news posts from the Sustainability Research Effectiveness Program.