Mi'kmaw-led conservation trust takes over Mary Harper Nature Reserve in Cape Breton

A Mi'kmaw-led conservation trusthas takenstewardship of a 23-hectarenature reserve in Cape Breton, in a ceremony earlier this week.

WagmatcookFirst Nation in Nova Scotia is just a kilometre away from the land and ChiefNorman Bernardsaidbeing entrusted as its stewards again is a significant moment.

"Mi'kmaq have been here for thousands and thousands of years and to be given back our land, it makes a big difference," saidBernard.

The Mary HarperNature Reserve, along the Bras d'OrLakeBiosphere Reserve,was a part of Harper'ssummer home and upon her death it was donated tothe Bras d'OrPreservation Nature Trust in 1993. It was provincially designated as a nature reserve in 2011.

Roughlytwo years ago the Bras d'Or trust began looking for someone totake over stewardship because its board members were aging, and began talks with the Mi'kmaq.

The Mi'kmaq set up theSespite'tmnej Kmitkinu Conservancy to hold the lands in trust for the community andpaid for the legal feesfor the transfer.

Conservation easements restrict development on the land but as stewards, Mi'kmaqwill be allowed to practise ceremony and harvesting, said Bernard.

"Our land is very important and sacred to us," said Bernard.

Neither the federal norprovincial governments werepart of thediscussions to move stewardship of the lands to the Mi'kmaq.

Conservancy can take on other lands

A ceremony was held inWagmatcook, about 56 kilometres from Sydney, N.S., to mark the transfer of stewardship.

Bras d'Or Preservation Nature Trust board of directors member Henry Muggahsaid there was smudging, hand drumming, and community elders shared how they used the land in the past.

Muggahsaid the land will be in good hands.

"I think it's terribly important for us to recognize original ownership," said Muggah, 80.

He said the Mi'kmaqshare a common goal of maintainingthe area's ecology andhopes other private land owners consider entrusting their estates to the Mi'kmawconservancy.

Erin Dann, co-ordinator with Sespite'tmnej Kmitkinu Conservancy, said itholds lands on behalf of the Mi'kmaq and for the Mi'kmaq to use and manage as they see fit.

The conservancy was incorporated over a year ago and can take on other conservation easement trusts. Dann saidthey will look to expand Indigenous protected and conserved areas.

Bernard saidhis community is expanding and spent $300,000 to purchase about 560 hectares of land last year.

"We have to secure the future of our kids," said Bernard.