CLIENT: Halfway River First Nation
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PRI collaborated with Halfway River First Nation (HRFN) to design and implement a web-based mapping and data management system near Fort St. John, British Columbia. The tool supports land referral assessments and the visualization of Traditional Use Study (TUS) data and First Nations knowledge collected by community members.
CHALLENGE:
HRFN required a practical and accessible digital tool capable of integrating complex, multi-layered spatial data to support timely and informed responses to proposed development referrals, including LNG facilities and agricultural developments, within their territory. Equally important was the need to incorporate and protect sensitive First Nations knowledge, including culturally significant locations collected directly by community members, within the same platform.
APPROACH:
PRI designed and built a web-based mapping application that enables HRFN Land Managers to upload proposed development applications and analyze buffered areas around project sites to identify overlapping TUS or First Nations priority areas and assess potential impacts. The platform was integrated with Survey123 applications to support the collection, visualization, and analysis of community-sourced First Nations knowledge, including wildlife camera observations, medicinal plant locations, burial sites, and fishing areas — bringing community voices directly into the land management and referral process.
OUTCOME:
HRFN gained a powerful, integrated mapping and referral tool that strengthens their capacity to assess and respond to development proposals within their territory. The platform supports both rigorous spatial analysis and the meaningful incorporation of First Nations knowledge, providing Land Managers with a comprehensive and culturally grounded resource for informed, rights-based land use decision-making.