IPMEN is an international network that seeks to conserve, manage and restore the integrity of ocean ecosystems in the Pacific. ONC was the Gold Sponsor for IPMEN 2023 and the National Marine Education Association was the conference Silver Sponsor.

The 2023 theme “Linking Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Ocean Literacy” explored perspectives from traditional ocean voyaging to tsunami preparedness, protocols for scientists and educators working with traditional communities, and existing exemplary programs. The importance of story combined with science became a main thread at the conference.

Renowned speakers from across the globe joined the conference–some from our own backyard like Master Carver Joe Martin (or Tutakwisnapšiƛ) who traveled from the Tla-o-qui-aht territories of Tofino, British Columbia and others from the other side of the Pacific like legendary Master Captain Cecilio Raiukiulipiy who joined virtually from Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. These two ocean voyagers were in good company with ocean scientists, educators, artists, and business leaders from Canada, Japan, Italy, Taiwan, Hawaii, Australia, the United States mainland, American Samoa, and beyond! One presenter, Megan Cook, even presented live via satellite from the R/V Nautilus as she sailed toward the central Pacific.

ONC & other highlights:

Tuesday, July 18

Tsunami – 11th Relative
Presenter: Pieter Romer

Conference members learned about the rich history of tsunami resilience on the Pacific West Coast, and how combining traditional Indigenous Knowledge with ocean science can better prepare communities for the next “big one” in the new documentary Tsunami 11th Relative.

Following the 30-minute film, ONC Indigenous Community Liaison Pieter Romer discussed the ONC-supported documentary which resulted from the Northwest Vancouver Island Tsunami Risk reduction project, a collaborative initiative led by Strathcona Regional District in partnership with five First Nations, ONC, four municipalities, two regional districts and several private and provincial stakeholders.

Engaging Local Youth Requires Local Knowledge: Earthquakes and Tsunamis from Multiple Perspectives
Presenters: Lauren Hudson and Monika Pelz

Comprehensive ocean science requires multiple perspectives. Lauren Hudson and Monika Pelz, ONC K-12 Education Coordinators, shared how ONC together with Indigenous community partners developed a curriculum that integrates Indigenous oral histories and firsthand experience with ocean science methods like tsunami modeling.

Express permission was granted to ONC for resharing cultural and personal information. Our thanks to the following First Nations: Mowachaht / Muchalaht, Ka:yu:’k’t’h’ / Che:k’tles7et’h’, Quatsino, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint and Nuchatlaht.

Traditional Canoe building with Master Carver Joe Martin
Speaker: Joe Martin

Joe Martin has been dedicated to mastering the art of traditional ƛaʔuukʷiatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) canoe carving for decades. He has sparked a revitalization of this ancient art form in his own community and among neighbouring nations in the Pacific Northwest. Taught by his father, the late Chief Robert Martin, Joe has continued to transfer his knowledge to future generations, taking on apprentices and leaving a legacy of over 70 carved canoes. Joe has been formally recognized for his incredible contributions to the artistic community–in 2013 he received a BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations’ Art and in 2012 he received a BC Community Achievement Award.

Wednesday, July 19

Eagle Wing field trip & educational voyage
Facilitators: Luci Marshall and Hannah Kosichek

Environmental stewardship has always been a core value at Eagle Wing Tours. As a longtime partner of ONC, Eagle Wing offers educational programming to thousands of students in the Victoria area every year. Eagle Wing tour guides, led a Traditional Ecological Knowledge-themed cruise encompassing ocean science activities and coastal history highlights. While aboard, Luci Marshall and Hannah Kosichek introduced ONC’s Community Fishers program and demonstrated how to make proper hand-hauled CTD cast.

Thursday, July 20

Ship2Shore: Connecting scientists, communities and youth to explorers at sea
Presenter: Monica Pelz

Members of the public don’t need to set sail to join ONC’s research and maintenance expeditions. Through the Ship2Shore program, participants can connect in real time with the crew at sea to explore ocean science, technology, and life on board an ocean discovery expedition.

Monica Pelz, ONC K-12 Education Coordinator, shared our process to create engagement during the 2023 Northeast Pacific Deep-sea Exploration Project and #ONCAbyss maintenance expeditions as well as next steps forward and lessons learned.

Fili Fa’atasi
Presenters: Naomi Galea’i and Christina Mataafa-Samau

The American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources introduced “Fili Fa’atasi.” This program interprets and offers scientific information and utilizes Traditional Ecological Knowledge to execute and promote Ocean Literacy to the Samoan people. Their video showcased how the Community-based Fisheries Management Program applies Samoan traditional knowledge and protocols to manage their ocean resources. It also demonstrated the importance of education and outreach to the young future scientists of American Samoa.

Transformative land and community based learning on Haida Gwaii
Presenter: Carrie Anne Vanderhoop

Carrie Anne holds an Ed.M. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Comparative Literature and Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Carrie Anne comes from a long line of Haida weavers and carries on the tradition as a weaver of the prestigious Raven’s Tail and Naaxiin (commonly referred to as Chilkat) textile garments. She introduced the Haida Gwaii Institute, which develops and delivers programs and courses that are community-driven, and centre Haida and Indigenous voices and knowledge in the areas of ocean sciences, fisheries, culture and history.

Learn more about IPMEN & watch the conference recordings.