The Unama’ki Project | Saving Waycobah’s Oysters with Joe Googoo
IPCA | Joe Googoo
CBC | Nova Scotia’s winter will be short, outdoorsman predicts
Joe Googoo Sr. is a respected Mi’kmaw Elder, cultural educator, and traditional artisan. Raised on the land, he has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing Mi’kmaw knowledge, ensuring that traditional hunting, fishing, trapping, and medicine practices remain strong for future generations.
A fluent Mi’kmaw speaker, Joe integrates language and teachings into his workshops, emphasizing the deep connection between the land and Mi’kmaw identity. He guides participants in land-based skills, from hide preparation and medicine harvesting to the creation of traditional tools. He is also an artisan, crafting waltes games, drums, and rattles—items that hold cultural significance and serve as teaching tools in his storytelling.
Joe’s wisdom and experience have been sought after in many community programs, cultural initiatives, and educational efforts, including youth mentorship and land-based learning programs. His role as a Knowledge Keeper extends beyond instruction—he is a bridge between the past and the present, ensuring that Mi’kmaw traditions continue to thrive.
“I grew up on the land. Everything I do is Mi’kmaq.”
Prayers and Ceremony | Storytelling | Traditional Skills
Mi’kmaw Language Speaker
Hunt | Trap | Fish | Medicine | Harvest | Guide | Land-Based Skills Workshops
Artist / Crafter: I make waltes games, drums, and rattles
Traditional Ecological Knowledge | Land and Water Guardianship | Sustainable Practices & Conservation
Sport and Culture | Traditional Games and Activities
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