Samqwane’jk Announces Funding Recipients
Published May 17, 2022
in News
By Allison Murray
On May 16th, 2022, Ulnooweg Development Group in partnership with the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE) and Upswing Solutions announced the funding recipients of the Samqwane’jk (suhm•kwan•āj•ka) Ocean Partnership Initiatives project, supported with funding from the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals Program.
Samqwane’jk is a first-of-its-kind initiative connecting Indigenous ocean businesses with ocean technology companies in Atlantic Canada to build sustainable ocean partnerships. The project aims to boost innovation, knowledge sharing and Indigenous inclusion while advancing Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy.
“The three projects selected for funding and support from the Samqwane’jk initiative demonstrated their potential to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We’re looking forward to working with the businesses over the next two years to measure and understand the impact this innovative partnership approach can have in the Atlantic region.” – Allison Murray, CEO, Upswing Solutions
Under Samqwane’jk, three Indigenous Atlantic ocean companies are set to receive funding and support:
Based in Nova Scotia, 3D Wave has developed proprietary ‘LiDAR ingestion software’ and created an interactive 3D visualization approach that readily communicates scientific sea level rise (SLR)/flood data and analysis for easy and rapid comprehension. This proprietary technology provides an important service allowing communities to model changes in their water table, flood zones, fire zones and prepare for changes in their surrounding environment due to climate change. With Samqwane’jk’s support, 3D Wave intends to deliver 3D LiDAR Climate Change modeling software in partnership with six (6) First Nations communities across Atlantic Canada.
With Samqwane’jk’s support, Smak’nis is developing a prototype electric Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) by incorporating an electric power source and battery bank to one of its 19-foot vessels. Based in Nova Scotia, this work is a continuation from a recently completed feasibility study Smak’nis completed with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) in the Summer of 2021 to design and blueprint the implementation of an electric engine into their sea vessel.
Based in Newfoundland, Miawpukek Horizon has been developing seafarer and cadet recruitment and training solutions with both the Nova Scotia Community College and the Marine Institute. The company represents a formal joint venture between Miawpukek First Nation and Horizon Maritime. With Samqwane’jk’s support, Miawpukek Horizon will be conducting a seafaring training program targeted towards Indigenous participants aboard their vessel, the Polar Prince.
For more information, visit www.samqwanejk.com