As part of the research phase of these Traditional Knowledge Studies, BCMF hosts Virtual Community Meetings (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to determine which of our members in the proposed areas are active on the land and would be considered Knowledge Keepers. Knowledge Keepers hold a very special role in our community as they maintain traditional or cultural practices including harvesting, hunting, traplines, traditional plant knowledge including medicine gathering, etc.

Once these Knowledge Keepers are identified and interested in participating, we conduct a “map review”. A map review is when we get together and look over the entire proposed route so that our Knowledge Keepers have a detailed understanding of the proposed route, before going out onto the land to inspect the region. Typically these are done in person, with stories and sharing a meal. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, we had to hold these virtually.

Our Knowledge Keepers then go out onto the land and begin their research and highlight any areas of concern. Our Traditional Knowledge Studies Program Coordinator oversees all of this and then compiles the research into a report, complete with recommendations.

The project guides and final reports for the proposed Groundbirch, ELKO and YAHK projects are below.