Who are Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission?
Eskasoni First Nation is the largest Mi’kmaq community in Atlantic Canada and proudly has the highest percentage of Mi’kmaq language speakers. It is located in the district of Unama’ki (Cape Breton) within present day Nova Scotia, part of Mi’kma’ki, the unceded ancestorial territory of the Mi’kmaw people. Eskasoni Fish & Wildlife Commission is an organization within the Eskasoni Band Council.
EFWC was started when Eskasoni First Nation signed its first Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) in early 1991. Since then, our programs have expanded to include habitat monitoring and protection, species at risk research as well as research on other culturally significant species, like the oyster.
The Eskasoni Fish & Wildlife Commission was instrumental in starting up other organizations within the Eskasoni First Nation, including such companies as the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) and Crane Cove Seafoods (CCS) which have now become self sufficient entities. Today EFWC focuses on FSC fisheries, watershed protection, habitat restoration, species and habitat protection and outreach within the community.