The SOI Foundation and Miawpukek Horizon Announce New Partnership
The SOI Foundation and Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services Ltd. are excited to announce a new three-year partnership for SOI to charter the Polar Prince icebreaker for education, research and ocean conservation expeditions. This collaboration will inspire and empower youth, communities, innovation and leadership in the pursuit of a sustainable blue future.
Beginning in 2022, SOI will lead several expeditions each year onboard the ship ranging from Atlantic Canada to the Canadian Arctic. Each journey will have youth from across Canada and around the world, including Miawpukek Indigenous cadet crew members. Programming will immerse participants in nature, share Indigenous and modern science perspectives, and cover interdisciplinary topics. The experiences will have a lasting impact on participants’ lives, environmental conservation, research and outreach initiatives. Together with diverse and collaborative partners, the expeditions will also support a variety of initiatives focused on climate change, ocean conservation efforts, Indigenous-led research, outreach and media.
“We are very happy to work together with the SOI Foundation. Their mission to connect youth to nature and both modern science and Indigenous knowledge, aligns strongly with the Miawpukek Horizon mission to accelerate Indigenous participation in the Sustainable Blue Economy. Working together we look forward to achieving great outcomes, making lasting connections via the Polar Prince with many Aboriginal Communities, and providing opportunities to develop the people that will forge our path to reconciliation and a sustainable future.” · Miawpukek First Nation Chief Mi’sel Joe
“Our partnership with Miawpukek Horizon comes at a critical time where we find ourselves at the beginning of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, a decade that requires knowledge, leadership and urgent, meaningful action on climate, ocean health, biodiversity, and reconciliation. We are optimistic and very excited about the impacts, possibilities and opportunities this will provide for youth and communities across Canada and beyond.” · Geoff Green, Founder, SOI Foundation
About Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services Ltd. miawpukekhorizon.com 
Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services, new owners of the Polar Prince, is a company that has evolved from a relationship that started with the recruitment and development of First Nations seafarers from the Miawpukek First Nation, as Horizon Maritime sought to expand its seafarer network and further diversify its workforce. Miawpukek seafarers have become valued members of the Horizon Maritime team and strong relationships between Miawpukek Tribal Council and Horizon Maritime principals have developed as a result.
About the Students on Ice Foundation soifoundation.org
Since 1999, the SOI Foundation has been inspiring new perspectives, ideas, connections and collaborative solutions for a nature-positive world through educational expeditions, cross-cultural experiences, science and outreach initiatives in the Arctic, Antarctic, and places in between. The outcome is a global network that takes action and contributes to building healthy communities and a sustainable future for people and our planet.
About the Polar Prince
A 67 meter, Canadian-built and flagged, Multi-Functional Icebreaker. In 2017, the ship was used for the historic Canada C3 expedition, a coast-to-coast-to-coast journey of 25,000km via the Northwest Passage (canadac3.ca) and holds a special place in the hearts and minds of millions of Canadians as she has served her country for the past 60 years, including as a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker. Now she will continue to serve as a platform for education, conservation and training, inspiring a new generation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.
Media Contacts
SOI Foundation: media@soifoundation.org | 819-827-3300 x 3020
Miawpukek-Horizon Maritime Services: richard.maclellan@miawpukekhorizon.com