Maskwiomin receives $25,000 forest innovation voucher
Date: Aug. 14, 2023
Maskwiomin, a Cape Breton company manufacturing skincare products from birch bark extract, has received a $25,000 grant from NSCC’s Forest Innovation Voucher Program. The funding will help scale business operations through marketing, improved packaging, and digitizing standard operating procedures with local Nova Scotian partners.
“This funding is exceptionally exciting for the growth of our business,” says Maskwiomin CEO and co-founder, Dr. Matthias Bierenstiel. “We have a special formula based on traditional Mi’kmaq culture that’s crafted from birch bark extract. The grant will help us market and deliver our products to a larger market.
Etuaptmumk and birch bark extract
The company was co-founded more than a decade ago by Bierenstiel, a chemistry professor at Cape Breton University (CBU), and Tuma Young, a Mi’kmaq ethnobotanist and lawyer who teaches Mi’kmaw Studies courses at CBU. Maskwiomin’s skincare line combines traditional Mi’kmaw wisdom and practices with scientific processes following the concept of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing. Etuaptmumk means looking at the world cohesively through two lenses; one informed by traditional Indigenous wisdom and one informed by modern science.
Young originally heard stories of birch bark extract being used medicinally from two Membertou First Nation Elders. As he learned more about the traditional extraction process, he partnered with Bierenstiel to study the science and health benefits of the creams, ointments and soaps that could be produced from birch bark extract. Young shared the knowledge with his community, and wanted to ensure that any commercialization of the products was ethical, so he sought guidance from Elders. As a result, Maskwiomin is proud to have the support of the Membertou community in selling their products.
Maskwiomin and forest innovation
Nova Scotia’s shift to ecological forestry is based on a triad model of forest management. A major component of this model is making use of forestry byproducts as much as possible. “We’re highlighting the value of birch bark, which is often viewed as a waste product in forestry operations. Every ounce of the extract has a really high potency,” says Bierenstiel.
“Birch bark extract has wonderful organic compounds that have healing properties. There is intrinsic value in this product and recognizing that is an act of reconciliation in addition to contributing to sustainable forestry. We’re very appreciative of NSCC and this funding to help us put a new spin on the bioeconomy,” says Bierenstiel.
Forest Innovation Voucher Program
NSCC is supporting forest innovation projects that propel business growth in the forest sector with funding grants of up to $50,000. The Forest Innovation Voucher Program supports innovative ecological forest activities that foster a strong, growing and sustainable forest economy. Total funding for this program is approximately $2 million from the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust.