Shelley Denny is a Mi’kmaq from Eskasoni First Nation and the Senior Advisor for an organization that represents the five First Nations in the Mi’kmaw district of Unama’ki, also known as Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resource. Dr Denny holds three adjunct professor positions at Dalhousie University (Marine Affairs & Biology) and University of Windsor (Biology). Having a keen interest in aquatic life and habitats, Shelley attended Acadia University where she obtained her BSc in Biology and obtained her MSc in Biology at St. F.X University. In 2022, she obtained a PhD at Dalhousie University in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Her research interests are in exploring ways Indigenous and western knowledge can be used for the benefit of all, known as Two-Eyed Seeing. Her doctoral research built on her current interest and experience at UINR by exploring how Aboriginal and treaty fisheries can be governed in Nova Scotia using Two-Eyed Seeing, and continues to be involved in a wide range of research utilizing the perspective of Two-Eyed Seeing.
Shelley enjoys opportunities for working with traditional fishers/harvesters and plays a key role in bringing the voice of traditional Mi’kmaw fishers into discussions with Indigenous, federal, provincial governments and international forums.