A Two-Eyed Seeing Approach with Clifford Paul

Shared Ground

Join Clifford Paul at East Bay Sand Bar in Unama'ki (also known as Cape Breton in Nova Scotia). Clifford refers to this beautiful place on the Bras D'or Lakes as the shorelines of his ancestors.

Throughout this episode, Clifford illuminates ways in which Mi'kmaw traditional knowledge and Western scientific knowledge can be woven together through what is known as two-eyed-seeing, or Etuaptmumk. Elder Albert Marshall (who you will hear from briefly) and his late wife, Elder Murdena Marshall, developed this approach which is now being applied across many fields internationally.

Clifford Paul treats us to a traditional oral story and a science story to help explain the approach. He also helps us understand how non-Indigenous people can learn to use two-eyed seeing and he talks about how traditional knowledge can come from many different cultures. Hear about his holistic work as Moose Manager through UINR (Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources) and about the need to communicate in a way similar to how different species in ecosystems communicate with one another for the health of the whole.

Also discussed is the importance of inspiring in our youth a sense of place and understanding of the natural world.

Change of behaviour is the way to move forward, and can come from being, as Clifford says, "a conduit for change”.

Clifford Paul is a father and grandfather. He has done a variety of work, including as a writer, photographer, and editor, and as the Criminal Records Manager and dispatch trainer for the Unama’ki Tribal Police. Now Moose Management Coordinator for UINR (Unama’ki Institute for Natural Resources), Clifford's other passion is creating jewelry through his business BearMan Authentics.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Unama’ki Institute for Natural Resources (UINR)

A CBC Article (Jan.,/22) about Two-eyed seeing

Article by Dr. Shelley Denny “Herring Study Confirms Mi’kmaq Observation”

Elder Voices podcast