The TDLR is that I have grown up next to the ocean my entire life, being raised in a small fishing village, Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada), then spending 8.5 years living in the Arctic (Iqaluit, Nunavut), I have experienced the transition from small-town seaside kid, to impassioned marine biology student, ocean technology nerd, to Arctic fisheries biologist. I have been working in the field for 9 years now. During this time, I loved learning about the Atlantic coast and Arctic ocean but what has left an equally massive impression is the people who live adjacent to these waters.
The Root of it
I know how difficult it is, especially for Indigenous and racialized young people, to try and make an impact in this world. I know what it is like to be counted out before given a chance. I also know the difficulty of challenging your positionality after confronting a culture or worldview that is opposite to the one you have known to be true your entire life. But I have seen the beauty of finding the commonalities, of pushing past boundaries and achieving what you have been after all along. I will use this newsletter to build capacity for those on a similar journey.
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Looking Ahead
That is to say, I aim to expand the boundary of what it means to be an ocean scientist. I want to imagine what it could look like for us to have a different relationship with the ocean and each other. I will be diving into what it means to conduct equitable marine research, how we can honor ocean stewardship by being fluid and considering new tools. Taking up different worldviews, cultures, methods and combining them to make something new.
Now more than ever we are facing intersecting challenges, and we are being asked to adapt rapidly. I hope to center wellbeing, joy, curiosity and hunger for solutions in the pursuit of change.
What do you hope to see in this Newsletter?
See you on the next edition!
Author
Jasleen Jawanda
Jasleen is an ocean scientist with experience in small-scale fisheries development and Arctic Marine Protected Area establishment. Based in Nunavut for 9 years, Jasleen carves space to ensure ocean science communities are inclusive and accessible to everyone.
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