Evan Simon – Mi’kmaq, Unama’ki

Evan’s main role is to support a draft moose management plan in the Cape Breton Highlands and assist with community education and outreach programs. Evan also incorporates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into research and stewardship activities. Evan works with Clifford Paul, see his profile here.

The Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources is a PLT Canada Green Jobs employer.

Evan’s story is included in A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada: Voices of Indigenous Professionals.

Download the guide

EVAN’S LOVE OF NATURE COMES FROM…

“When I step into the bush, I still get that exact same feeling from when I was young. Feels like I’m being greeted by an old friend. I have strong memories of my father teaching me what he learned during his childhood. My grandmother would cook for us in the woods. The taste of food is better outside.”

EVAN CHOSE A CAREER IN SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BECAUSE…

“I always knew I wanted to follow a green career pathway. My dad talked to me about working as a game warden. I would see game wardens while I was fishing with my dad or hunting with my mentors, Danny Paul and Clifford Paul. I thought they looked so cool. My dad always talked about protecting things. I was taught to be a protector and to stand up for things that I love, like the land we come from. “

TO EVAN, BEING INDIGENOUS IN A GREEN JOB  MEANS…

“Being Indigenous means I can weave traditional knowledge with the knowledge I learned in school. We call this “Two-Eyed Seeing.” One eye sees with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and the other eye sees with the strengths of Western ways of knowing. I think Traditional Knowledge and approaches like Two-Eyed Seeing will become a bigger part of the green sector. Learning from my family and Elders means I have a long-term view of conservation. We are always thinking seven generations behind us and looking seven generations ahead.”