First Nations Collaboration
Where indigenous knowledge and engineering meet, better solutions follow.
The Work That Shapes Us
WISDOM PASSED THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
PRI is a team of engineers, scientists, project managers and professionals who provide practical services in forestry, environmental management, geotechnical work and engineering. Our work is shaped by collaboration and guided by the priorities of the Nations we partner with. We are committed to building respectful relationships with First Nations by listening and learning from Elders, leadership, knowledge keepers, Guardians and community members. Indigenous laws, values and perspectives are reflected in the way projects are planned and carried out. Our goal is to support Indigenous-led initiatives, strengthening capacity and honouring stewardship values in ways that support self-determined futures and lasting benefits for generations.
How We Collaborate
WHERE TRADITIONS MEET POSSIBILITIES
In our work with Nations, we honour two-eyed seeing, which recognizes the strengths of Indigenous knowledge from one perspective, and the strengths of Western knowledge from the other, in order to create the best outcome for the project. Our role is to help deliver plans and projects that align with governance, timelines, and what matters most to the community.
- We work with Nations to apply both Indigenous knowledge and Western science respectfully, guiding initiatives such as Access and Land Management Plans that lay the foundation for potential IPCA proposals.
- Nations set the vision and goals, and we support by sharing expertise, project management, and training in ways that align with governance, timelines, and community direction.
- Partnership begins with listening. We take guidance from knowledge keepers, Elders, leadership, Guardians, monitors, and community members so that planning is culturally grounded and shaped by the Nation’s priorities. By respecting governance, protocols, and timelines, we adapt our approach to ensure projects reflect community vision and values.
- Together with Nations, we advance projects that create opportunities, protect lands and waters, and support strong, healthy communities. Our role is to share expertise and tools in ways that strengthen local capacity, ensuring skills and benefits remain within the Nation and continue for future generations.
- We support structured data collection, quantitative analysis and population modelling for wildlife.
Our Focus
ANCESTRAL WISDOM. FUTURE VISION.
As project managers, we keep the Nation’s vision at the forefront, coordinating projects in ways that respect governance, decision-making, and community direction. We also guide initiatives such as Access and Land Management Plans that lay the groundwork for proposed IPCA.
- As Project Managers, we keep the Nation’s vision at the forefront, coordinating projects in ways that respect governance, decision-making, and community direction. We work with Nations to apply both Indigenous knowledge and Western science respectfully, guiding initiatives such as Access and Land Management Plans that lay the foundation for potential IPCA proposals.
- Partnering on safe community infrastructure, from the NAC Dam Safety Review to the Tsal’alh Spill Surge Project, as well as Nation-led facilities like the Tzeachten Longhouse and the Nak’albun School Addition.
- Exploring clean energy and land use opportunities with Nations, such as the Cheam Landfill Solar Study, turning reclaimed lands into renewable energy that supports community priorities.
First Nations Inclusivity
INCLUSION ROOTED IN RESPECT
The earth and environment sector works with land, water, and community every day. We believe that work is done better and more honestly when it is grounded in partnership with the people who have always known that community best.
- Blending Indigenous knowledge and science in stewardship, as at Gill Bar Restoration, where cultural teachings and technical tools guide restoration and long-term planning.
- Creating sustainable opportunities through initiatives such as the Cheam Landfill Solar Farm Study and training with Cheam and Tsal’alh Guardians, where youth, Elders and staff strengthen skills for stewardship and planning.
- Blending Indigenous knowledge and science in stewardship, as at Gill Bar Restoration, where cultural teachings and technical tools guide restoration and long-term planning.
Capacity Building & Community/Youth Engagement
FOSTERING LEADERSHIP THE LAND HAS ALWAYS KNOWN
First Nations communities have always been the most careful observers of community, tracking seasonal change, reading landscape, understanding water in ways that take generations to develop. Engineering needs that knowledge. Building capacity for First Nations youth in Earth and Environment engineering is about creating the conditions for a more grounded, more connected, and ultimately more effective profession where the people who know community best have the tools to shape how it is managed.
- Strengthening community skills and knowledge through training and tools that stay local, supporting soft determined planning and long-term stewardship.
- Cheam ArcGIS training and Tsal’alh Guardians programs create space for youth, Elders, and staff to grow capacity in mapping, monitoring and climate leadership.
- Gill Bar Restoration Project is Nation led and includes restoration, monitoring, and access planning, where Environmental Monitors and Guardians weave cultural knowledge with technical expertise to care for lands and waters.
- Bridge River Transmission Project involved Guardians and Safety Officers from multiple Nations in wildlife and plant surveys, building regional cooperation and confidence in stewardship roles.
Commitment to Cultural and Environmental Protection
WHERE THE LAND AND CULTURE ARE INSEPARABLE
Honouring territories and cultural values by aligning projects with Nation governance and priorities, while caring for lands and waters through initiatives like Similkameen Flood Risk Planning. Creating sustainable opportunities and strengthening stewardship, from the Cheam Solar Farm Study to Indigenous-led climate solutions with the Tsal’alh Guardians.
Community-Driven Planning
STRATEGIC PLANNING ROOTED IN COMMUNITY & FAMILY
Nations set the vision and goals and we support by sharing expertise, project management, and training in ways that align with governance, timelines, and community direction. Access and Land Management Plans, proposed IPCA, and the Gill Bar Restoration Project demonstrate how cultural knowledge and technical tools are applied together to strengthen Nation-led stewardship.