Unceded Algonquin Territory — Ottawa, ON | October 17, 2026

Nature Canada is honoured to present the inaugural Albert & Murdena Marshall Award for Reconciliation to Mi’kmaw Elder Dr. Albert Marshall and in memory of his late wife, Elder Dr. Murdena Marshall. The award recognizes their extraordinary, lifelong leadership in healing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, advancing land-based stewardship, and fostering reciprocal relationships with the Earth.

The award was created by Nature Canada to celebrate individuals, youth, educators, researchers, grassroots groups, and organizations working at the intersection of environmental conservation and reconciliation. Grounded in respect, justice, and ecological integrity, the award honours initiatives that elevate Indigenous leadership and support collaborative, land-based healing.

Honouring the Legacy of Elders Albert and Murdena Marshall

Elders Albert and Murdena Marshall are renowned internationally as the co-creators of Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), a foundational guiding principle that integrates Indigenous ways of knowing with Western scientific approaches. Two-Eyed Seeing encourages learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and from the other eye with the strengths of Western knowledges, using both together for the benefit of all.

• Elder Dr. Murdena Marshall (1942–2018): A Mi’kmaw Elder of the Bear Clan from Eskasoni First Nation in Unama’ki (Cape Breton), Murdena Marshall was a fluent Mi’kmaw speaker, knowledge keeper, spiritual leader, author, and Associate Professor of Mi’kmaw Studies at Cape Breton University (CBU). The granddaughter of Chief Gabriel Sylliboy, who was the first elected chief of the Mi’kmaw Grand Council, she dedicated her life to community service, education, and language revitalization. Following the loss of her son Tommy in 1978, she pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Education from Harvard University. She played a key role in developing CBU’s Mi’kmaw Studies program, helped establish Unama’ki College, and co-created CBU’s globally unique Integrative Science degree program alongside Albert Marshall and Dr. Cheryl Bartlett. Among her many honours, she received the Grand Chief Donald Marshall Senior Memorial Elder Award (2006), an honorary Doctor of Letters from CBU (2009), and official recognition in the Senate of Canada.
• Elder Dr. Albert Marshall: A respected Mi’kmaw Elder from Eskasoni, Albert Marshall has devoted his life to preserving and sharing Mi’kmaw culture, language, and governance values rooted in the Mi’kmaq Seven Guiding Principles. His leadership with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources and advocacy work has profoundly shaped environmental decision-making, health research, and cross-cultural policy. In 2009, he was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by CBU alongside Murdena for their tireless work promoting cross-cultural understanding and healing. Together, they established KECCA (Knowledge Education & Culture Consultant Associates) to support future generations of the Mi’kmaw Nation.

Advancing Reconciliation in Conservation

As one of Canada’s oldest national nature organizations with over 85 years of history, Nature Canada presents this award as part of its commitment to shift away from colonial conservation models toward approaches rooted in relationship, reciprocity, Indigenous rights, and justice, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Future nominations for the Albert & Murdena Marshall Award for Reconciliation will be open to individuals and groups whose work actively advances reconciliation through nature-based initiatives. Preference will be given to Indigenous-led efforts or projects developed in true partnership with Indigenous communities. Selection of future recipients will be guided by the ongoing insight of Elder Albert Marshall and community leaders to ensure the award continues to reflect the values and teachings of its namesakes.

A charity since 1939, Nature Canada has been the voice for nature. Our mission is to cultivate and strengthen the connections and conditions needed for species and habitats to flourish. Our vision is a Canada where nature is restored, thriving, and an integral part of everyday life, rooted in all the decisions that shape our shared future.

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