About Us

Historical Document Database

The MNBC Historic Document Database provides access to thousands of historical documents including photographs, Hudson's Bay Company records, Church missionary records, and personal accounts. Each document is indexed by items such as its source, subjects, family names and geographic locations mentioned within the document. Google Maps are also used to help interpret the indexes and help demonstrate historical Métis land and resource use in British Columbia.

This project gathers documents from both historical archives and directly from British Columbia's Métis community on an ongoing basis. If you would like to contribute any old photos, letters, or documents in your family's collection, please visit the Contribute Files page.

Harvesting Survey

The Harvesting Survey project gathers information on current and past harvesting practices throughout British Columbia in order to better understand their scope and density. The data gained through community-based interviews with Métis land users and local Métis Leadership is used to generate maps that can interactively demonstrate harvesting activities.

Detailed information on various animal and plant species as well as relationships between family member's harvest practices is also studied in order to better understand how harvesting practices and traditional knowledge are passed on from generation to generation.

Mike Evans is Canada Research Chair in World's Indigenous Peoples and Research Director for Métis Nation British Columbia. Currently an Associate Professor at UBC Okanagan, Mike is an experienced community-based researcher with a diverse range of research interests including: urban Aboriginal issues; Métis history and contemporary issues; Tonga; Oceania; Trans-national migration and globalization; Whaling and whale-watching tourism; Trade liberalization, diet, and nutrition in the Pacific.
Mike Evans' UBC Home Page and Curriculum Vitae

Erin Dolmage, a UBC Okanagan Graduate Student, is the coordinator for the BC Métis Historical Document database.

Zachary Romano, a UBC Okanagan Graduate Student, is a Research Associate in the Department of Community, Culture and Global Studies. Since 2007, he has worked as Project Coordinator for the BC Métis Land Use Study.

Rob Lauriston is a software developer specializing in database and web applications.

Several Graduate and Undergraduate Students at UBC Okanagan also work as Research Assistants.