H’aiagal’ath Grizzly Bear Tours Inc. (HGBT) is an Indigenous-owned and operated business offering ecologically sustainable and culturally authentic wilderness experiences in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia’s Central Coast. W’ui’kinuxv member and HGBT founder, H’aiagal’ath Alexander Chartrand, engaged with Impact Resolutions to seek support for the development and promotion of his conservation-based business. At its core, HGBT: respects W’ui’kinuxv protocols, increases economic opportunities for citizens of W'ui'kinuxv Nation, employs W'ui'kinuxv youth, supports the return of W’ui’kinuxv citizens to their core community on the Waanukv River in Rivers Inlet, revitalizes cultural activities, and practices science-based biodiversity conservation. HGBT serves as a model for conservation-based economies developed by Indigenous Peoples and IR is pleased to be developing the HGBT e-commerce website and social media campaign.

Since 2017, IR has worked to raise funds to produce a visual documentary with the vision to bring recognition to a significant family legacy that can be proudly shared and passed on to future generations. The film will build a bridge between identity, traditional knowledge and language. Co-producing and recording traditional stories is a powerful tool for those who share and acknowledge them. It fosters unity, strength and empowerment. The family members involved are impacted by Canfor, Pacific Trails Pipeline and Coastal GasLink. IR seeks to mend, inspire and sustain a relationship between Kley’ate’ley, Uni’stot’en and Wet’suwet’en hereditary and elected leaders and community members, both on- and off-reserve.

The Northern Forestry Centre (NoFC) is one of five research centres operated by the Canadian Forest Service. The work at the Centre supports Natural Resources Canada’s national research priorities and addresses forestry issues in the three Prairie Provinces and the Northwest Territories.

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IR was involved in a literature review focused on cumulative effects and provided an evidence-based research report, after a period of engagement with NoFC officers and staff working with First Nations.

IR collected, consolidated, quantified and analyzed Northern Rockies Regional Municipality socio-economic indicators to facilitate data-driven decision-making towards extractive projects and among municipal and Indigenous nation interests. This strategy required identifying and quantifying the current economic, labour market, physical infrastructure and social infrastructure capacities within the municipality and the Indigenous communities.

This project with Saik’uz First Nation is a testament to IR’s understanding of BC’s small business in the hospitality and tourism sector. IR evaluated two strategic pivots for the business, conducted long-term demand and financial forecasting and modelling, performed a risk assessment and created a business continuity and change management plan. IR also generated project leadership, governance and control requirements, and identified and analyzed potential sources of business and community financing.

After a competitive RFP process, IR was contracted by the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) as a public participation consultant with communications expertise to facilitate three public participation events regarding the regional water system.

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SCRD final evaluation of our work was that it “exceeded expectations,” especially considering how contentious and divisive the water supply issue has been on the Sunshine Coast.