Land Management Systems Simplifying the Referrals Process for First Nations

March 25, 2015 - PRLog -- In a recent article series focused on land management, we touched on how implementing a Land Management System will break down information silos and enable the sharing of information among users. Some of the important processes supported by the system include the management of referrals, leases and titles. As this series on land management topics progresses, we’d like to now turn the spotlight on the referrals process, and specifically, the process of tracking who is doing what and where on First Nations lands.  To clarify, “the referrals system* essentially seeks to pave the way for resource development on unceded territories while ostensibly conforming to the legal duty to consult and accommodate with the Indigenous community on whose territory that development occurs.” Obviously, this is an important topic with regards to First Nations land management.

Referrals [permits] process and track who is doing what and where. An efficient electronic referrals solution has many benefits for the user, including: Minimizing the amount of data and intelligence that is lost as employees leave; Offer users the ability to automate important tasks and business processes such as the distribution of notices; Helping the user stay organized and focused on the things that matter! Tracking the entire referrals process is an important business process for land managers, particularly First Nations groups. A typical lands management system may include policies, procedures and software to track the flow of paperwork, emails, documents, letters, and other important data. The system will be an information management tool that the Nation will use for referrals, treaty negotiations, and many other common business processes.

CloverPoint, through the assessment of the needs of potential users, have identified a number of ways for improving the efficiency in managing and monitoring requests for land use (referrals). Some of the benefits of a map-based, electronic records management system for referrals  include:

- Making available relevant, consistent, and up to date information in electronic format

- Facilitate cooperation and collaboration among users

- Allowing third party applicants to input information in a secure environment

- Automatic analysis of submitted spatial data against a base map

- Storing, assembling and analysing data like photos and information from field assessments

- Allowing the administrator to confirm accept/reject/schedule an assessment

- Providing a central repository for all archived/historical data

-Searchable and shared data access across departments

- Ensuring data is secure with access rights under the control of the manager

- Reporting functionality to support presentations

- Much More!

We’ve discovered that it is not uncommon for a typical First Nation to receive between 50-100 referrals per month, thus, it is important to have an integrated system in place to manage these requests for access to land. By implementing an integrated, electronic land management solution, users will be able to automate numerous actions and business processes. It is not uncommon for users to realize results of up to a 60% reduction in resource requirements, while also building a secure digital archiving of all their referral applications! Insight™ by CloverPoint is a system for maintaining records to aid in land title and facilities management and can support the referrals process.

* NOTE: It is the constitutional requirement of the provincial government to consult with First Nations about land use activities that may infringe on aboriginal rights. This consultation is done in the form of referrals.

We like to think that Insight (http://cloverpoint.com/insight/)™ is in some small way helping to fill the gap between technology and effective and sustainable management of land, and everything on it. Please follow this blog for regular updates on land management related topics (http://cloverpoint.com/category/land-management/). At CloverPoint we recognize and understand the needs of First Nations groups to have access to tools and data that enable them to manage their lands and the subsequent development and/or access to these lands and traditional territories – The solution is Insight™ by CloverPoint.

About Insight

Insight™ by CloverPoint is a system for maintaining records to aid in land title and facilities management. It provides a secure environment for storing and accessing information in order to support users and their need to make informed decisions on activities that may impact their land and resources. Insight is unique in its ability to collect information from multiple sources and share it with users based on their roles within the system. Insight™ is being used across North America by planning departments, local governments, engineers, architects, and first nations.  See more at http://cloverpoint.com/insight/

About CloverPoint

CloverPoint (est. 1992) started as a cartographic company 20 years ago and is now an industry leading full services mapping company, delivering location based software and services around the globe. CloverPoint provides land management solutions to progressive organizations. Our mission is to simplify the connection between people, technology and their environment. We believe that everyone should be empowered to realize the full potential of their lands. We do this by making it easy for people to organize, discover and share their information. See http://cloverpoint.com and on Twitter @CloverPointVic