Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to Research in the Bras d'Or Lake (webinar)
Event Recording
Event Summary
by Patrick Haddad, NSEN Journalism Volunteer (Environmental Studies student at Saint Mary’s University)
Dylan Yates, NSEN’s Information and Communications Manager, and Autumn Hebb co-hosted the event. Autumn is an Environmental Studies student at Saint Mary’s University and NSEN volunteer.
On October 27, 2020, the Nova Scotia Environmental Network hosted a live virtual coffee house event to discuss a unique three-year collaborative project known as Apoqnmatulti’k. The project looks at the health and resilience of fish and other aquatic species in Mi’kma’ki.
Incorporating the strengths of Mi’kmaq, local and western knowledge, tracking programs are being planned and implemented to analyze the movements and habitat use of Jakej (American Lobster), Katew (American eel), and Punamuiku (Atlantic TomCod).
Driving the discussion for this event were two very noteworthy speakers; The first being Skyler Jeddore, a Mi’kmaw knowledge holder and community liaison/field technician for the project, who is also working closely with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources. Jeddore focuses his research on aquatic species tracking in the Bras d’Or Lake. The other exemplary speaker was Evelien VanderKloet from the Ocean Tracking Network, who is also helping manage the project.
Some of the project partners include the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, the Mi’kmaq conservation group, Acadia University, Dalhousie University, the Marine Institute of Natural and Academic Science, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Ocean Tracking Network.
The project name “Apoqnmatulti’k” translates from the Mi’kmaq language as “we help each other”. A significant point was made in the discussion that links the title to the core principles which guide the project forward. VanderKloet expresses this ideology:
“When you bring together different knowledge systems, you’re going to have collisions, and you’re going to have challenges, and the idea behind ‘Apoqnmatulti’k’ is that we help each other through those challenges.”
One of the main challenges expressed deals with how different knowledge perspectives contribute to other forms of data, which are more difficult to quantify. Those who have learned the discipline and methods of Western science may find that different evaluation types result in more complex research questions and slow the development of research projects, which could affect deadlines. However, these types of interactions also lead to a more robust and higher-quality research project.
When asked how it feels to use his local and traditional knowledge to help with this project, Jeddore replied:
“It feels great knowing that what was passed onto me from, say like my grandfather or my cousins, or uncle… passed on from our ancestors, and seeing it come out good into this project.”
With over 500 Barachois ponds in the Bras d’Or Lake, Skyler was asked how they chose which ponds to capture and tag American Eel. Jeddore expressed that the locations were chosen because it was known through the local fisherman’s historical use, where the eels congregate the most.
As the project continues to progress, a better understanding of when and where these species move throughout the Bras d’Or Lake will develop. Using acoustic technology and other tracking methods allows this to be possible. An example of a research question used in the project is how lobsters are being observed moving from one fishing area to another. This type of knowledge allows for better management and a more sustainable commercial, moderate livelihood, and social and ceremonial fishery. The overwintering patterns, movements, and land use of the American eel are also being observed by putting acoustic receivers out and tagging the eels.
Jeddore also describes how remotely operated vehicles are being used as another tool to look through habitats in the East Bay area of the Bras d’Or Lake. Some new identifications of corals and Nudibranch were made, and plans have been made to use these tools to find other eel habitats.
During the discussion, VanderKloet was asked how a two-eyed seeing approach contributed to the project’s success. VanderKloet stated:
“I think it hasn’t just helped with the project; I would say it’s integral to the project; it’s even inseparable from the project.”
Since the species being studied have significant cultural values attached to them as they are part of the food, social, and ceremonial fisheries, it was recognized that any species which is tagged is also depleted from the corresponding food fishery. From a western science perspective, it is crucial to get a confidence-inspiring sample size through tagging species. Still, it was equally important for this project that Mi’kmaq values were also applied, so the minimal sampling size to effectively complete the research was utilized. Some of the other Mi’kmaq values described are associated with animal ethics and care. It was also noted that the two-eyed seeing approach should be clearly implemented from the very beginning of any project for it to be as functional as possible throughout the project’s entirety.
The project is still currently in its second year of a three-year study with the possibility of being extended to four years. Another important note to make is that this framework can be used by future projects to apply effective and respectful collaborative efforts with all stakeholders involved.
To learn more about the Apoqnmatulti’k project, check out: https://www.apoqnmatultik.ca/