How do we approach collaborative research?

Apoqnmatulti’k is a collaborative initiative that brings together different knowledge systems—Indigenous, local, and western scientific—to generate and share information about culturally, ecologically, and commercially important aquatic species in Mi’kma’ki (Atlantic Canada). This partnership includes the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR), the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM), commercial fisher Darren Porter, the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), Acadia University, Dalhousie University, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 

Since its inception, Apoqnmatulti’k has fostered a successful and holistic partnership, with each partner organization bringing their unique core values and desired outcomes. Project partners co-develop every aspect of the project, including research questions, methods for addressing those questions, and strategies for communicating the findings. This collaborative approach to understanding the aquatic environment improves the quality and richness of information collected, ensuring transparency and accessibility for communities that depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.

What is acoustic telemetry?

Acoustic telemetry studies led by Apoqnmatulti’k are guided by and respond to community knowledge and priorities. Acoustic telemetry is used to track the movements of aquatic animals and gather information about how aquatic species are using the surrounding ecosystem. Project partners tag focal species with small transmitters that emit a coded sound, or ‘ping’. Underwater receivers detect an animal’s unique pinging tag if it is within the receiver's listening range. Animal movement data is collected from the receivers by bringing them to the surface. 

Movement data is uploaded to the Ocean Tracking Network’s global database. 

How do we engage with communities?

While typically not built into a natural science project, Apoqnmatulti’k community liaisons play a central role in ensuring community considerations and values are central to all Apoqnmatulti’k activities, including research goals and outcomes. 

Working groups are one way that the community liaisons and project partners gather information and seek input from community members to inform research directions and project activities. Working group meetings also provide an opportunity for partners to share project updates and key findings and address any questions about the research being conducted. Working group meetings take place at the study site level and may focus on Apoqnmatulti’k research as a whole or convene a smaller group interested in a particular study species.   

How do we share the knowledge we gain?

Apoqnmatulti’k is generating new, valuable information on commercially and culturally important species in Mi’kma’ki, and is facilitating co-learning and the transfer of knowledge across cultures and sectors.

Apoqnmatulti’k project partners host a wide range of outreach activities to reach various audiences, including the general public and communities around the Pitu’pa’q (Bras d’Or Lake) and Pekwitapa’qek (Bay of Fundy) where Apoqnmatulti’k research is focused. Partners also share the project’s model, research approach and lessons learned within peer-reviewed literature and at national and international conferences.

Through Apoqnmatulti’k, project partners have learned the importance of sharing information beyond the traditional academic sphere to reach a broader audience. In addition to peer-reviewed publications, the project uses social media posts, infographics and videos to tell the stories of project activities and research findings. Apoqnmatulti’k partners prioritize sharing project updates and findings with local and Mi’kmaw communities and publish articles within the Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Nation News regularly.

While sharing information is important, respect for First Nations’ data sovereignty is the top priority for project partners. Apoqnmatulti’k adheres to the First Nations Principles of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession), and all partners receive training through the First Nations Information Governance Centre. Following these principles helps determine how the information is shared, collected, used and stored.