These studies involve interviewing current community members about how they have used the land during their lifetimes. The results are represented on maps which together provide graphic representation of the territory currently in use. The information can be extremely helpful for advancing aboriginal title and rights. It is also useful for the negotiation of co-management agreements, assessing development impacts and education and community planning, to name but a few ends. There is a great deal of family history research going on among BC First Nations - at the individual, band and nation or tribal council level.
Genealogical research can help establish Indian status or band membership.
It can also help demonstrate continuous occupation of a defined geographic region, and so is also extremely helpful in land claims research. This information is particularly useful for community education purposes, but it also supports general public education efforts and it can supplement other types of research being undertaken simultaneously.