K’ómoks First Nation Indigenous Land Use Study: BC Hydro Upgrades ( Completed 2020)

Beginning in 2019, Kwusen worked collaboratively with the K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) and Jesse Morin, PhD to conduct an Indigenous Land Use Study (ILUS) related to BC Hydro’s John Hart Seismic Upgrade, Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade, and Strathcona Discharge Upgrade. The study and report assisted KFN in assessing the potential impacts of the proposed upgrades on Indigenous Land Use Values, the proposed Project’s contribution to cumulative effects, and effects on the broader Aboriginal Rights and Title of KFN. This study included ILU mapping interviews, fieldwork sessions, a community workshop, and a review of previous ILUS data stored in the KFN Community KnowledgeKeeper (CKK). Kwusen produced an ILUS report that included a detailed ethnographic background, a results section outlining community concerns about Project effects, and an assessment of Project impacts on KFN’s Aboriginal Rights and Title. All information and findings from this study are accessible to KFN for future use in their Community KnowledgeKeeper database.