Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) will be a partner in the 2025 Miawpukek First Nation–led ocean science expedition onboard the training ship Oqwatnukewey Eleke’wi’ji’jit (Polar Prince) this summer. This marks the second Miawpukek Nation–led youth and science voyage along the east coast of Canada in which ONC has had the honour of participating.
The ship, owned by Miawpukek First Nation and Horizon Maritime Services Ltd., is a former Canadian Coast Guard ice breaker that can be chartered by scientific organizations and non-governmental organizations to conduct research, training, and data collection at sea. The Polar Prince will be hosting Mi'kmaq youths and Inuit youths from the Qikiqtaaluk region as part of the Qikiqtani Futures Summer Internship Program. This expedition involves 20 days at sea and will visit locations in Nunavut, Northern Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
ONC will be aboard the Polar Prince to provide the youth participants with hands-on training in field research, data collection, and ocean monitoring. Monika Pelz, ONC education coordinator, will join the onboard team, to help foster a learning environment that empowers youths to deepen their ocean literacy.
Proposed Route for the 2025 Polar Prince expedition. Credit: Horizon Maritime Services Ltd.
"These Indigenous-led ocean science cruises not only work on the marine priorities of the Indigenous coastal communities, but also provide hands-on experiences for Indigenous youth to participate in the onboard activities and to learn about the breadth of career opportunities at sea. Partnerships with groups such as Ocean Networks Canada are key, as it enables knowledge sharing and skills development for the youth, to prepare them as future leaders of this work." Ken Paul, Indigenous Advisor for Miawpukek Horizon
Looking back on the 2024 voyage
The June 2024 expedition, also led by the Miawpukek First Nation, was the first ship-borne science expedition on the south coast of Newfoundland organized and delivered with partners by an Indigenous group in Canada.
ONC post-secondary education coordinator Wylee Fitz-Gerald joined that 13-day Polar Prince voyage. Through hands-on training, Wylee worked with youth from the Miawpukek First Nation, Qalipu First Nation, and Junior Canadian Rangers to explore marine technology and science careers during the voyage through culturally significant fjords and waterways from Stephenville and the South Coast Fjords, to the Bay d’Espoir, and the Funk Island Marine Protected Area.
"When you talk about making informed decisions for the future of our oceans, there is a need to invite Indigenous voices, whether Métis voices such as my own or Mi’kmaq voices like the youth on this vessel. Indigenous peoples have been stewards of the land and sea since time immemorial." Wylee Fitz-Gerald, ONC post-secondary education coordinator.
Using the foundation of ONC’s Community Fishers program, the youths were trained by Wylee to use scientific instruments like CTDs that collect oceanographic data on conductivity (salinity), temperature, and depth (pressure). Using the data collected, participants explored how it could be applied to marine planning and conservation.
The collected data from both expeditions is available through Oceans 3.0, with relevant data contributing to fisheries and territorial management planning by the First Nations, and potentially for the Proposed South Coast Fjords National Marine Conservation Area.
Image credits: Fred Cattroll, Royal Canadian Geographical Society Photo.
Through the expedition, ONC also worked with partners including the Canadian Geographic Society and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University to foster a positive learning environment for the youth participants.
"Ocean Networks Canada and the Marine Institute showed the students the world of marine technologies, allowing the teens to get hands-on experience operating instruments such as the CTD, underwater remote-operated-vehicles (ROV), and Niskin water samplers. The youth explored the data produced from their work and learned how it can be used for marine conservation.” Charlene Bearhead, Vice President- Learning and Reconciliation, Canadian Geographic Enterprises.
Supporting Indigenous ocean science leadership
Wylee Fitz-Gerald presenting the ONC-supported documentary, Tsunami 11th Relative, onboard the Polar Prince. This short film was produced and directed by ONC Indigenous Community Liaison, Pieter Romer. Credit: Fred Cattroll, Royal Canadian Geographical Society Photo.
ONC is committed to supporting career pathways into ocean science and technology. By supporting and co-developing programs with Indigenous communities, ONC provides hands-on training that builds local skills to prepare youth for careers in research, ocean monitoring, and data collection.
Recognizing the immense value of place-based knowledge, ONC also works to connect traditional knowledge and stewardship with practical training and scientific support. These efforts contribute to local marine research priorities and goals, including establishing marine conservation areas and Indigenous protected and conserved areas.
