Rod is an aquatic biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. In this role, Rod provides scientific advice on katew (American eel) and ji'kaw (striped bass) populations in the Bay of Fundy, the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, and eastern Cape Breton. Rod is proud of how Apoqnmatulti'k worked together to become a team. He is fascinated by the incredible capacity of katew to thrive in any habitat accessible to them.

Joanna is a professor in the department of mathematics and statistics at Dalhousie University. In this role, she enjoys supervising graduate students and advising them on how to develop their knowledge and skills to conduct research, publish it, and move on to impactful careers.

Evelien is the senior operations manager of the Ocean Tracking Network and has been involved in Apoqnmatulti'k since the beginning. For Evelien, this project has been different from others because its prioritized taking time for relationship building and shared decision-making. As a result, the Apoqnmatulti'k team navigates conflict and finds ways to move forward together. Evelien is proud of how this has allowed the group to accomplish so much more than conventional research projects.

Charlie grew up fishing on rivers of Nova Scotia, which taught him the importance of nature. As a research and field technician with the Mi'kmaw Conservation Group, he assists on a wide range of aquatic projects including monitoring and tagging fish and stream restoration. He works closely with Mi'kmaw communities and enjoys learning and sharing stories about aquatic species. On Apoqnmatulti'k, Charlie has appreciated the opportunity to learn from the scientific side and how the different knowledge systems come together as one research study.

Meet Mike Stokesbury! Mike is a professor in the department of biology at Acadia University. Mike admires the deep understanding that the partners on this project have with the natural world and their respect for conservation.

Sara is the scientific director of the Ocean Tracking Network and professor of biology at Dalhousie University. Sara values the partnerships and trust that have been built together through Apoqnmatulti'k. She is proud of the dedication of everyone involved in the project to respect and combine different knowledge systems and, in particular, the leadership role the students have taken in bringing this into their research.

Nadine is the manager of communications and outreach at UINR. Her expertise in taking complex ideas and making them accessible to community members has been invaluable to Apoqnmatulti’k. Nadine appreciates the openness and honesty of project partners, and takes pride in the shared commitment to learn together.

Megan is an associate professor at Dalhousie University whose research is focused on cooperation around global fisheries management and governance.

Fred is the executive director of the Ocean Tracking Network, and provides guidance to Apoqnmatulti’k students and field staff and helps acquire additional resources for the project. Fred is inspired by projects like Apoqnmatulti’k, where Mi’kmaw and local ways of knowing are redefining the way we do science.

Shelley has spent her life on the Bras d’Or Lake and is still discovering new elements of the ecosystem. As director of aquatic research & stewardship at UINR, Shelley plays a vital role in ensuring Mi’kmaw values help guide and shape Apoqnmatulti’k. Whether in the office or in the field, Shelley is always working to further a relationship with the Bras d’Or Lake.

Meet father-daughter team Darren and Erica Danae Porter from the Marine Institute of Natural and Academic Science. This duo works together as commercial harvesters and are partners on the Apoqnmatulti’k project. With decades of local knowledge and expertise between them, Darren and Erica help track and document aquatic species in the Minas Basin and surrounding waters. These species include eel, tomcod, lobster, sturgeon, striped bass, and more!

Alanna is the community liaison for the Apoqnmatulti’k project in the Bay of Fundy, and is the community liaison officer for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq.

Skyler is the community liaison/field technician for Apoqnmatulti’k, working in the Bras d'Or Lake. He is the first to be highlighted in a new series featuring project partners: Faces of Apoqnmatulti’k (Ta'n tel-mil-luktijik Apoqnmatulti’k).