The main goal of this project is to spatially document information on changes in the position and lay-out of the fur trade post called Fraser Lake Post, British Columbia (AKA Fort Fraser). As is typical of fur trade posts, Fraser Lake Post underwent cycles in its operation, periodically closing and reopening in a different location, as well as being frequently remodeled and repaired. The faculty researcher has various nineteenth and early twentieth century maps, photographs and written descriptions of the layout of the fort, as well as historical and modern aerial images of the vicinity of its locations. The student research assistant will georeference images of the fort and help the researcher to relate the images to descriptions of changes in the fort’s location.

The project may include, but is not limited to

• Create a map showing the relationship of Fraser Lake Post to other fur trade posts in New Caledonia District
• Georeference historical aerial photographs showing the area in which the post was situated and help to more precisely identify changes in vegetation relative to the fort
• Search the British Columbia Open LiDAR Data Portal for aerial LiDAR imagery covering the general vicinity in which the Fort was moved around, download the available files, and correlate them with older aerial images and modern maps.
• Georeference historical planview maps of the post so that they can be related to one another and to modern maps
• Measure the dimensions of buildings and their positions relative to one another from historical photographs of the fort so that they can be matched to planview maps and historical descriptions

The researcher will provide the student with the following:

• An orientation to the historical background and geographic setting of the project study area.
• An orientation to the British Columbia Open LiDAR Data Portal website. It also includes self-guided tutorials.
• Digital copies of all of the historical planview maps, aerial photographs and descriptions of the fort required
• Access to a study room/lab space on the MacEwan campus, if required.
• Instruction on how geographic coordinate systems work and how to read topography and vegetation from aerial photographs, if required
• Students have access to the ArcGIS software on library computers with their MacEwan log-in. ArcGIS is also available to download as a free trial to students on their personal computers.
• Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software are also available to download as free trials to students.
• Regular in-person or virtual meetings to check on progress, trouble shoot problems and discuss next steps.
• After completion of the project, the student will be able to use the researcher as a reference for Graduate school and employment, and they will have the opportunity to prepare a poster or presentation that disseminates information on the methods they used.