Cruise Sylliboy is an outreach and engagement intern based at the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Eskasoni, Cape Breton. I moved to Halifax when I was sixteen for school.
What is a typical day like in this job?
In this job everyday is different. Sometimes I’m out in the field, checking receivers, catching fish, and helping out with various research projects. Other days, I’m in the office preparing outreach materials and coordinating events. Right now, I just finished organizing the Bay of Fundy community celebration, which took place at Stewiacke River Park.
What do you enjoy most about your role as an outreach and engagement intern?
I really enjoy connecting with community members. It’s gratifying to hear what they have to say and helping to make their voices heard.
How is your role with Apoqnmatulti’k different from other projects you’ve participated in?
In Apoqnmatulti’k you work with everyone, and you involve community members. In other projects I’ve been on in the past, there was always a focus on either the traditional or Western approach– not both. That’s what makes Apoqnmatulti’k unique.
What does Apoqnmatulti’k mean to you?
To me Apoqnmatulti’k is community engagement, getting everyone involved, not just one demographic. We all want a sustainable future, we all have the same goals, and to achieve them we need meaningful connections to work together.
Why do you think animal tracking is important?
Being able to track animals gives us an understanding of their movements. This knowledge can inform conservation, policies, and human activities, which ultimately helps us to help them.
What is something most people may not know about American eels?
How rapidly their population has declined. When my dad was a kid he went eeling with his dad, and now there's so few eels out there for our traditional dishes. More work is needed to ensure we maintain the species.
What is something new you learned while working on this project?
This is a bit of a random fact, but I didn’t know smallmouth bass were a problem. They’re an invasive species wreaking havoc on the ecosystem, and I had no idea they were even here!
What are you most proud of with Apoqnmatulti’k?
How successful the collaboration is. Everyone involved is respectful and open minded, which means our approaches are balanced.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like to go to the gym, play video games, and I really like to garden.
