Charlie Fleming is the research and field technician for the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group.
Where did you grow up?
Charlie Fleming Releasing sac fry Atlantic salmon.
Born and raised in Brookfield just outside Truro, N.S., I spent many hours fly fishing with my father in different rivers in Nova Scotia where I was taught the importance of nature and that all life is important.
What is a typical day like in this job?
As a research and field technician for the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group (MCG), I assist in any project as needed. From conducting baseline monitoring studies, tagging fish, finding spawning locations for fin fish species, stream restoration, adult salmon releases, snorkel surveys and the list goes on.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Working with Mi’kmaw communities and the people within these communities. Learning and sharing stories about aquatic species, the lands, and waters and appreciating their culture. Working in the aquatic field has always been a passion of mine and to get to explore new waters and species makes every day a new experience.
How is your role with Apoqnmatulti’k different from other projects that you’ve been a part of?
With not having an academic degree or background, and working most of my life with my hands in the labour field, this project brings me closer to the academic side where I can see and learn how scientific studies are conducted.
Charlie Fleming at L’nu Sipuk Kina’muokuom School (LSK) teaching students anatomy of a Striped bass
What does Apoqnmatulti’k mean to you?
Taking all the indicators from what the land, water, animals, the fish and the Mi’kmaw knowledge and collaborating with science and the academics, and using both sources together and working as one study.
Why do you think animal tracking is important?
When I’ve caught a fish on a rod and released it back to its habitat I always thought it was interesting to think about where that fish came from or where it was going. With tracking technology, I get to see how fish use the waters they live in and where they want to go. This is important as it builds a larger understanding of what the fish are doing compared to what we think they are doing.
What is something most people may not know about tomcod in the Bay of Fundy?
Tomcod also known as punamu (boo-na-moo) in Mi’kmaw is a fish that travels from the Bay of Fundy to spawn in freshwater streams and rivers. Tomcod are a traditionally significant species as they are a source of food for Mi'kmaw people from thousands of years ago to the present. They would eat the fish and eggs as they were high source of protein and omega 3.
Fun fact: Tomcod can be frozen live and when thawed out can come back to life within a reasonable time frame.
What is something new you learned while working on this project?
Learning Mi’kmaw knowledge and backing it up with scientific measures. Listening to Mi’kmaw ecological knowledge from knowledge holders and incorporating it into this project. This has taught me to value both knowledge systems as a whole.
Charlie Fleming along the Creamy Brook, Brookfield, NS.
What are you most proud of with Apoqnmatulti’k?
Working on the banks of the Shubenacadie river having the world's largest tides rushing up 45 feet to your tagging station while tagging tomcod in middle of January and feeling the energy from the water, the cold biting air, the fish in hands and seeing the bald eagles circling over you, with a smudge and all you can do is step back and appreciate what you are witnessing.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I am a father of three beautiful children and have a wonderful partner Alanna Syliboy where we do family hikes to coastal waterfalls, beach days, camping or just exploring Mi’kma’ki. I coach, play, and referee hockey, golf, bow hunting and sneak away to the river to fly fish where I recharge.