In March 2025, a group of First Nations knowledge holders, known as Guardians, and allied conservation practitioners from across Canada traveled to Antigonish and Paqtnkek First Nation.
The event was a cultural practice and knowledge exchange focused on the American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) or “pimizi” as the fish is known in Algonquin — Anishinabemowin.
The visit was a continuation of the relationships and ideas developed at the Restoring Pimizii/Eel Conference hosted by Kitigan Zibi in Maniwaki in September 2024. The purpose of the trip was to learn from Mi’kmaq leaders about traditional fishing methods, ecological and legal knowledge, and the cultural significance of eel, while also exploring the potential for Indigenous-led, cross-regional recovery efforts.
Participants included representatives from Kitigan Zibi, Timiskaming First Nation, Kebaowek First Nation, Mohawks of Akwesasne, Hiawatha First Nation, the River Institute and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. The gathering was hosted by Dr. Jane McMillan and Elder-in-Residence Kerry Prosper at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), with support from staff of the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) and Mi’kmaq community members.
Activities included a welcome and discussion with UINR and StFX staff, visits to local eel harvesting sites, including the location of Donald Marshall Jr.’s arrest that led to a landmark Supreme Court decision on Mi’kmaq treaty rights, and hands-on learning with Elder Kerry Prosper. Prosper generously shared his knowledge of eel spears, eel leather, and preparation techniques, guiding the group through the skinning, filleting and baking of eel. His grandson, Aaron Prosper, gave an informative and insightful history of treaty relations in Mi’kma’ki and spoke on the present-day implementation of Mi’kmaq governance, rights and relations as understood through treaty interpretation. His talk touched on initial European contact and described the true spirit and intent of Peace and Friendship Treaties. Shared meals and storytelling throughout the visit fostered meaningful exchanges between participants and hosts.
The visit sparked many reflections:
“The trip to Mi’kma’ki was a meaningful and eye-opening experience. It was centred around learning about the deep mutual connection that both the Mi’kmaq and Algonquin Peoples have with the American Eel. During our visit we had the privilege of learning about the Mi’kmaq treaties with the Crown, and how these historic agreements continue to shape and challenge their present-day struggles for harvesting rights. Hearing about the Donald Marshall Jr. decision from individuals who knew him on a personal level added a powerful dimension to what I had previously only encountered in academic contexts. It underscored just how deeply intertwined these legal battles are with the lives and well-being of real people and communities. What stood out the most to me was the strength and generosity of spirit in the people we met. Despite ongoing challenges within their nation and with external forces, they invited us in and imparted knowledge with great care and pride. It reminded me of the resilience that our nations share and in this we have no better teacher than the eel. I am very grateful to have had this experience and to have learned from the eel alongside our Mi’kmaq brothers and sisters.”
- Melodie Hurtubise, Timiskaming First Nation
“ I am very grateful to have participated in travelling to our eastern relatives in Mi’kma’ki. Their knowledge of the eels was inspiring and navigating through western society while still holding strong to their traditional values is something to look up to. It brought attention to just how important pimizii is to everyone who depended on the river systems throughout eastern Canada. It seems to me that eels are the representation of community and unity. They bring the people together just as they travel together. Their resilience, adaptability and uniqueness are a direct embodiment of First Nations Peoples on this land. I have much more to learn about this relative. Miigwetch.”
- Dolcy Meness, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
“As we reflect on our recent trip to Antigonish, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the Mi’kmaq community and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical significance of eels. This experience was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of Indigenous Peoples, and the profound connection they have to the land, its resources, and the many lifeforms that share it. The stories we heard, the traditions we learned about, and the knowledge shared with us have deepened our appreciation for the importance of preserving and respecting Indigenous practices. We are honoured to have been invited to partake in this experience, and we leave with a renewed commitment to supporting Indigenous communities in their ongoing fight for justice, cultural preservation and the protection of eel. This experience has reminded us of the need for greater cultural awareness and the importance of continuing to listen, learn and engage with Indigenous voices.”
- Sarah Sra & Nick Lapointe, Canadian Wildlife Federation
“The first time I ever saw an eel was when my family settled in Cornwall, Ontario in the mid-’90s. I distinctly remember seeing chopped up eels on the shoreline around the same time that the wild grapes were ripe. It wasn’t until later in life that I learned the truth: since the construction of the Moses-Saunders dam, eels have been killed at alarming rates by the turbines. An estimated 23 to 25 per cent (and another 23 to 25 per cent are killed 100 kilometres downstream at the Beauharnois Dam) of eels perish each year while attempting to migrate back to the Sargasso Sea to spawn—an important journey that the species has been doing for millennia.
Though these numbers and the reality of the situation are well-documented in scientific studies, they aren’t widely shared with the general public. Unless you’re actively on the water or an Elder, you might not even be aware that eels still inhabit the river. Over the past few years, I’ve become deeply fascinated by eels and their story. I’ve had the privilege of learning from Akwesasronon about the eel’s significance to the community as both a medicine and once a vital food source. I can only imagine the deep sense of loss felt by those who relied on this fish relative. What must it have been like to see them wash up dead on the shores of their own backyards, followed by their eventual disappearance.
In 2022, community members reached out to the River Institute, a not-for-profit organization located along the St. Lawrence River in Cornwall, reporting the sighting of hundreds of dead eels at the river’s bottom. A team of scientists, technicians, and I (as a photographer and science communicator) set out on a boat to investigate. The shock we all felt upon seeing the situation firsthand was overwhelming. While we knew that dead eels were being reported, nothing could have prepared us for the horrifying reality we witnessed. Hundreds of eels littered the riverbed, but what made it even more heart-wrenching was that many of them weren’t fully dead—some were paralyzed, others were injured but still alive, writhing in pain. Scientists believe these eels are likely from a stocking program initiated in the 2000s, aimed at restoring the population in the St. Lawrence River. For reasons that aren’t fully understood, the stocked eels tend to migrate months later than their wild counterparts. In many ways, these eels and the tragic piles of dead and suffering animals became a symbol of both hope and urgency — a reminder that we have another chance to make a difference and share their story.
Fast forward to 2025, when Leora invited me to join a trip to learn about eels from the Mi’kmaq perspective. I was accompanied by my friend, Abraham Francis, to represent the St. Lawrence River. For me, the experience highlighted the varying degrees of loss to the eel felt by Indigenous communities. For the Algonquins, the disconnection from eels spans multiple generations. Eels were once as plentiful and significant in the Ottawa River watershed as they are in the St. Lawrence, but now, few people know they ever existed on their territory. I could see how the trajectory of what we’re experiencing in the St. Lawrence could parallel the losses felt by the Algonquins.
For the Mi’kmaq, who are still actively fishing for eels, the decline in their eel populations has become increasingly sharp. The story of Donald Marshall Jr. and the harassment he and his partner, Jane McMillan, faced from the government reminded me of the importance of community connections and storytelling. I couldn’t help but reflect on how one fisherman and his partner endured so much hardship, while the industries responsible for much of the loss have remained largely unregulated and exempt from taking meaningful action to protect the species.
I could sense how powerful this gathering was for knowledge sharing and for planting seeds for future organizing efforts in support of the eel. The pace of the gathering was slow, with a flexible schedule that allowed for connection and relationship-building. While there is still so much loss and grief, this meeting was hopeful, positive, and for myself (and maybe for others too), healing.
As Leora said, eels are a connecting species—and they really are.”
- Stephany Hildebrand, River Institute
This knowledge exchange was made possible through the support of the Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership and the University of Guelph (with funding secured by Leora and administered by the Cooke Lab at Carleton University), the Lenfest Foundation through Dr. Jane McMillan, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation (transportation).
Gratitude goes to all who shared their time, stories, and teachings—and to pimizii, a relative whose journey continues to guide and connect communities across Turtle Island.
The Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP) provided funding to support Indigenous students and postdoctoral researchers leading community-based conservation and research projects.
Learn more about their work at conservation-reconciliation.ca.
Learn more about the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s work with the American Eel >
Authors: Leora Gansworth, Sarah Sra and Nick Lapointe
CWF
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