We believe community consultation and engagement work best when there is ongoing trust. We develop effective consultation programs that engage people in making decisions that impact their future. Engagement strategies must suit the community culture and meet the specific needs of each project, with respect to each community’s unique context and history. Through a variety of facilitation techniques, we create dialogue leading to successful group decision-making and consensus while promoting respectful communication. Each project is customized to meet the needs of our clients and build a sense of investment through participative decision-making.

We pride ourselves on facilitating inclusive, fun and dynamic engagement activities. Our skilled and experienced team uses a variety of methods, including roundtable discussions, panel discussions, ‘World Café’-style meetings, design charettes, focus groups and open-door community meetings. We excel in preparing engagement materials, including presentations, meeting agendas, guidelines and visual graphics, such as maps and brochures.

DNA’s Planning Team has led and participated in many land use planning projects in British Columbia and

Northern Canada. We are highly skilled at looking at the big picture while assembling information and identifying key issues and opportunities. We use these skills to develop creative approaches and sustainable solutions to tackle the most complex land use planning projects.

Our GIS analysts use mapping and LIDAR data to create user-friendly, clear and informative maps. We work closely with our engineers for infrastructure assessments to determine future development possibilities. We collaborate with community members to build land use capacity and provide training in land use engagement and software.

Through land use planning, traditional use studies and community engagement, our team also supports clients to negotiate their land interests with Government and Private sector interests.

DNA’s multi-disciplinary expertise in Economic Devel­opment supports communities to develop a sustainable economy and long-term employment. We create partner­ships and innovative approaches that lead to the successful development of a variety of projects.

DNA has wide-ranging experience in working with communities to identify, define and assess the feasibility of various types of development projects and delivery approaches. Drawing upon our knowledge in infrastructure, negotiations, business, tourism, sustainable develop­ment and microfinance, our team can assist clients with:

We engage with the community to determine a vision for the development and discuss how the benefits will be shared.

We believe Strategic Plans should be community based and provide clear direction and implementation strategies. Strategic planning supports administration and leadership to work together toward the community vision.

Our strategic planning features engagement which is inclusive, creative, and tailored to the community.  The engagement process ensures that community priorities are reflected in the Plan. Our Strategic Plans are used in day-to-day decision making by staff as well as leadership.

We work with our clients to produce policies that support transparent decision-making. Using interactive workshops, we work with administration and leadership to review and develop policies in areas including finance, housing, human resources, governance, information management and land management. Our policy development process ensures leadership and senior staff are familiar with the provisions of key policy documents and understand the implementation requirements.

Our Planning Team has extensive experience providing planning and development services to various clients, including First Nations, Municipalities, Regional Districts, Senior Governments and the Private Sector. We work with each client to develop creative planning processes and solutions that meet their objectives. We value our role as facilitators, taking heed to ask questions of those directly involved and to actively listen in a professional, respectful and insightful way.

A central component of our planning and development services is the development of performance and evaluation frameworks. We work closely with our clients to develop and implement evaluation frameworks, decision making frameworks and performance measurement plans that are simultaneously reflective of their needs and useful decision-making tools.

Our housing team are qualified, talented, energetic, and experienced in the delivery of relevant, functional, culturally connected and environmentally responsible housing projects. We work with our clients and funders to develop, design, fund, and construct successful housing projects, from the initial concept stages to welcoming the residents to their new homes. Our planning team works closely with in-house architects and engineers for housing support services so we can provide an integrated design process for our clients.

We work with communities to identify and address their housing needs. Our Housing Needs Assessments meet the requirements of the 2019 provincial legislation (as per the Local Government Act) and provide a roadmap for affordable housing developments.

Based on community engagement and planning, we work with communities to provide tailored and affordable housing solutions to meet their unique needs, including elders/seniors, supportive, families, students, and youth ageing out of care.