What Nations Told Us After Their Projects Ended
Part three in the “Learning by Doing” series
Every Nation that completes a BC RIGC-funded Data Demonstration Project submits a final report.
It’s common to treat these reports as the administrative end of a funding agreement – tidying up a file before a project is closed out. But the BC RIGC sees them as one of the clearest ways Nations tell us what their project produced, what support was useful, and what we should do differently next time.
This is the third and final post in the “Learning by Doing” series. Earlier posts explored what we are learning from data assessments and from planning projects alongside Nations. This one looks at what we are learning once projects are complete.
The BC RIGC has now funded 19 Nation-led Data Demonstration Projects, and the first final reports have been submitted. It is still a small sample, and we do not want to draw conclusions that reach beyond the evidence. Even so, some themes appear consistently enough that they are already shaping how we work.
What Nations valued
Every Nation that has submitted a final report so far said they would recommend working with the BC RIGC to another Nation.
The rating itself is something to celebrate, but the comments behind it give us much more actionable insight. Again and again, Nations described practical support rather than abstract advice. They valued technical expertise, responsiveness as projects evolved, and a willingness to adapt the work to their own priorities rather than expecting them to fit a predetermined model. Many also pointed to the importance of working in ways that respected Indigenous data sovereignty and the principles of OCAP®.
One theme stood out across nearly every report. Nations talked as much about the relationship as they did about the technical work. They described a team that listened, adapted, and worked alongside them. That tells us that in doing all of our work, we have to remember that how we work matters just as much as what we deliver.
“BC RIGC provided consistent, respectful, and responsive support throughout the project.
Their willingness to support Indigenous-led design, adapt to evolving needs, and invest in relational engagement contributed directly to the project’s success.
Their approach aligned with Indigenous data sovereignty principles and allowed the work to unfold in a culturally grounded way.”
Beyond funding
The reports also challenge a familiar assumption about funded projects.
In many funding programs, the relationship ends when the work is complete and the final report is submitted. The Nations we worked with said that while funding was a key part of making the projects possible, equally if not more critical was the ongoing relationship with the BC RIGC – regular project meetings, shared problem-solving, and continued access to people who understood both the project and the Nation's priorities.
Several Nations asked for that relationship to continue after the project closed. They wanted opportunities to keep learning, ask questions, and build on what had already been accomplished.
“K5T values the depth of experience and knowledge within the BC RIGC team. First Nations across BC will benefit from working with a group that brings both technical expertise and a genuine commitment to supporting communities.
The team has been clear, straightforward, respectful of our ways of working, and intentional about advancing this work in ways that make sense for us.”
That reinforces a key understanding – that building data capacity is not something that happens within a single project, but develops over time.
What we need to improve
The reports were equally valuable in showing us where we can do better.
Several Nations wanted more attention to what happens after a project ends. They asked for earlier conversations about sustainment, clearer guidance on integrating project outputs into everyday operations, and support to help staff continue using what had been built.
Others wanted information about follow-on funding opportunities and future project pathways much earlier, so they could plan beyond the life of a single agreement.
Many also asked for practical resources they could adapt rather than create from scratch: templates for privacy and data-sharing agreements, data standards, digitization guidance, GIS resources, and examples from other Nations.
Finally, several reports pointed to the importance of planning for interoperability and long-term infrastructure earlier in the project rather than near the end.
These give us concrete changes to make as the BC RIGC continues to grow and mature.
What this means for our work
Taken together, the reports point in a consistent direction.
Nations are asking for more than individual projects. They are asking for shared infrastructure, practical resources that can be reused, stronger connections between systems, and relationships that continue over time.
Those are the directions we are moving in. We are bringing sustainment and interoperability into project planning earlier, expanding the library of templates and guidance available to Nations, providing clearer information about next steps, and staying engaged after projects are complete.
“Thank you very much for providing this funding and in-kind support. It’s incredibly helpful and the additional resources that are available from the RIGC provide a wealth of practical tools and support. We are grateful to have made this connection and hope that the tool that was created with this project is useful to many others.”
Looking ahead
This series has been about learning by doing.
Data assessments help us understand where Nations are today. Planning conversations help us identify the problems that matter most. Final reports tell us what worked, what did not, and what should change next.
Perhaps the most important takeaway is that every completed project improves the starting point for the next one. Each Nation adds new experience, new resources, and new insight that can inform future work across the network.
That only happens because Nations are willing to share their experiences openly, and the BC RIGC has proactive ways to distribute this knowledge to others.
