Prophet River First Nation collects input on future Fort St. John urban reserve

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local First Nation was eagerly looking for input on what the future might look like for its urban reserve.

Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) held several community engagement sessions throughout this week, including on Wednesday, October 15th, for the general public at Fort St. John’s Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre.

The engagement meeting followed similar ones with PRFN members and Elders, which were held during the evening of Tuesday, October 14th and at lunch on Wednesday, respectively.

PRFN has partnered with consulting firm McElhanney regarding the land it owns across from Robert Ogilvie Elementary on 86th Street in the city, as well as lands which were added to its reserve south of Fort Nelson.

Additions to the reserve were purchased in 2016 from the federal government. A formal ceremony, planned for this year, was cancelled due to wildfire activity. PRFN signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the urban reserve back in 2022.

Division planning manager from the firm, Colton Kirsop, was on hand to answer questions at the event.

“No decisions have been made,” said Kirsop. “We are actually really welcoming community input in terms of what the community feels is a good fit for their lands.”

In the small conference room, each phase of the potential plans and input were put on a large poster board, while community members could leave post-it notes offering suggestions.

Below each panel were several glass containers with foam balls, where PRFN members could vote for what they desired in several categories, including PRFN membership and election codes. 

For instance, under what was most important about the membership process, the choices were either ‘complex issues,’ ‘clear accessibility and easy to read membership forms,’ ‘rooted by PRFN values,’ or ‘fair and consistent.’

Kirsop said he had seen a “mixed bag” of suggestions from members, but did say most are looking for some sort of economic driver.

“People are expressing an interest in commercial [or] residential development,” said Kirsop. “We are also open to suggestions as well.”

Former and current Peace River North MLAs, Dan Davies and Jordan Kealy respectively, also attended the meeting.

Some members of PRFN would like to see various additions to the grounds in Fort St. John. Tanya Chipesia said she’d like infrastructure catering to youth.

“I would like to see more activities for kids, like the school and running more daycare,” said Chipesia.

The engagement meeting is part of PRFN’s Comprehensive Nation Plan (CNP) update, outlining the plans for land expansion with the Nation.

Kirsop says plans will go forward sometime in 2026. To learn more about PRFN’s CNP, visit the nation’s website.