Products & Services

Founded in 2012, Willow Springs Strategic Solutions (WSSS) has a broad range of experience in the management, design, execution, and evaluation of community-based and university-led research projects.  WSSS utilizes community-based research methodologies and effective project management to ensure that the research process is inclusive, ethical, and successful.  We also assist clients as they develop plans to meet organization and community strategic goals which contribute to long-term community development.

Traditional Knowledge and Use Studies

WSSS partners with Indigenous communities to design and produce community-based research projects including Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Land Use and Oral History Studies. Community-based research has several advantages:
  • Documentation of oral traditions;
  • Celebration of Elders and community stories;
  • Implementation of Participatory Geographic Information Systems;
  • Identification of potential impacts of industrial development;
  • Generation of interest among youth about traditional ways of life.

Disaster Impact Assessment, Preparedness, and Management 

WSSS works with Indigenous communities and other clients to support disaster management efforts with an eye to jurisdictions with multiple levels and types of government and inter-cultural challenges.  We have provided impact assessments of natural disasters that go beyond physical and economic effects to consider impacts to cultural, family, and governance capacity.  We likewise support Indigenous governments and communities to disaster preparedness and disaster management plans.

Socio-economic and Cultural Impact and Community Needs Assessments

WSSS works with communities to develop socioeconomic and cultural impact assessment models and assess the incremental and cumulative impacts of industrial projects to Indigenous and other communities, to identify gaps in access to employment and services, and to develop community-based plans to take advantage of economic development opportunities.  We also provide third-party technical reviews / gaps analyses of Environmental Impact Assessments. 

Community Consultation and Strategic Planning

WSSS offers facilitation services for consultation activities and organizational strategic planning.  Whether for Indigenous, not-for-profit, or corporate clients, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities, WSSS assists organizations to engage members, identify strengths, build capacity, and set realistic goals for sustainable organizational and economic development. 

​​Past and Present Clients

McMurray Métis (MNA Local 1935)
Manitoba Metis Federation
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Athabasca Tribal Council
Ermineskin Cree Nation
Whitefish Lake First Nation #128
Poundmaker Cree Nation
Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement
Fort McKay First Nation
Fort McKay Métis Community
Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee
Gunn Métis Local 55
Athabasca University
Wabasca Métis Local 90
Kikino Métis Settlement
​Elizabeth Métis Settlement
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Selection of Research Projects, Reports & Publications



Fortna, Peter (2020). Fort McKay Métis Nation: A Community History. Report submitted to the Fort McKay Métis Nation. 

Fortna, Peter (2019). A Report to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on the Implementation of the Residential School Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Report prepared for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.  

Joly, Tara, Debra Hopkins, Harvey Sykes, Almer Waniandy, John Grant, Lorrie Gallagher, Leonard Hansen, Kaitlyn Wall, Peter Fortna, Michelle Bailey (2019) "'Learning Together': Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems to Understand Freshwater Mussel Health in the Lower Athabasca Region of Alberta, Canada" Ethnobiology VOL. 39 · NO. 2 | Special Issue. Mollusks. Guest Edited by Ariana Burgos and Alexandra C. Younger.

Fortna, Peter (2019). Conklin Traditional Land-Use Study: Imperial Corner Project. Report Prepared for the Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee. 

Fortna, Peter (2019). Conklin Traditional Land-Use Study: Devon Pike and Jackfish Expansion Projects. Report Prepared for the Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee. 

Fortna, Peter (2018). Voices Around the Fire: An Indigenous Wildfire Story.  Video Produced for Athabasca Tribal Council and the Canadian Red Cross. 

Clark, Timothy (2018).  Rebuilding Resilient Indigenous Communities in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo: Executive Summary.  Report prepared for the Athabasca Tribal Council and the Canadian Red Cross.

Clark, Timothy (2018).  Rebuilding Resilient Indigenous Communities in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo: Final Report.  Report prepared for the Athabasca Tribal Council and the Canadian Red Cross.

Fortna, Peter (2018). How Much Longer?  A Preliminary Assessment of Homelessness in Conklin, Alberta.  Report Prepared for the Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee. 

Fortna, Peter (2018). Kikino Métis Settlement Traditional Land-Use Study: MEG Energy May River Project.  Report submitted to the Kikino Métis Settlement. 

Clark, Timothy David (2018).  2016 Horse Creek Wildfire Socio-Employment and Impact Assessment.  Report submitted to McMurray Métis Local 1935 and the Rupertsland Institute for Métis Excellence. 

Fortna, Peter (2017). Conklin Traditional Land Use Study: MEG Energy May River Project. Report submitted to the Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee.

Clark, Timothy David (2017).  Fort McMurray Métis Cultural Impact Assessment -- Suncor Voyager South Mining Project. Report prepared for Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935.  

Fortna, Peter (2017). Kikino Métis Settlement Traditional Land-Use Study: Imperial Cold Lake Expansion Project.  Report submitted to the Kikino Métis Settlement. 
 
Clark, Timothy David (2017).  Review of the Cumulative Effects Assessment of Hydroelectric Development in Manitoba.  Report submitted to the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission (CEC) on behalf of the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Fortna, Peter (2017). The Fort McKay Métis: Preliminary Findings Regarding its Existence as an Historic and Contemporary Métis Community.  Report submitted to the Fort McKay Métis Community Association. 

Clark, Timothy David (2017).  Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement Traditional Knowledge and Use Study for the MEG Energy May River Project.  Report submitted to Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement.

Fortna, Peter (2016). Incorporating the Findings from the CEMA Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Framework into the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting Agency: Key Findings and Recommendations. Report prepared for the Alberta Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency (AMERA).  

Fortna, Peter and Tara Joly (2016). “Realizing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Alberta and Canada: Briefing Report Prepared for the McMurray Métis.” Report prepared for McMurray Metis. 

Clark, Timothy David (2015). Recognizing the Past, Reconciling the Future: Report on Lake Winnipeg Regulation and the Churchill River Diversion. Report prepared for the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Clark, Timothy David  (2015). Technical Review and Gaps Analysis of Traditional Land and Resource Use, Socioeconomic Effects, and Cultural Impacts for the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Program Application. Review prepared for Ermineskin Cree Nation, Ocean Man First Nation, Sweetgrass First Nation, and Beaver Lake Cree Nation.
 
Clark, Timothy  David (2015).  Traditional Land Use and Ecological Knowledge Study -- Robb Trend Coal Mine Expansion Project.  Report prepared for Ermineskin Cree Nation.

Clark, Timothy David (2015).  Fort McMurray Métis Cultural Impact Assessment – Teck Frontier Oil Sands Mining Project. Report prepared for Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935.

Clark, Timothy, Dermot O'Connor, and Peter Fortna (2015).  Fort McMurray: Historic and Contemporary Rights-Bearing Métis Community. Report prepared for Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935.

Clark, Timothy David (2014).  Technical Review of Enbridge Pipelines Incorporated's Norlite and JACOS Pipeline Project Applications. Review prepared for Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935.

Clark, Timothy David (2014).  Manitoba Métis Traditional Land Use and Knowledge Study - Pointe du Bois Transmission Project. Report prepared for the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Clark, Timothy David (2014).  Métis-Specific Socioeconomic Baseline Study and Impact Assessment of the Keeyask Generation Project. Report prepared for the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Fortna, Peter (2013).  Research Summary: Historical Information on Fort McKay Traplines in the Moose Lake and Buffalo Lake Area. Report prepared for Fort McKay First Nation Sustainability Department.

Willow Springs Strategic Solutions (2013). Publicly Available Information on Métis Traditional Land Use in South Athabasca Oil Sands Area. Report prepared for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

Fortna, Peter  and James R. Dragon (2009).  “The Mighty Athabasca: Applied Métis Environmental and Historical Research.”
Fur Trade and Métis History: Patterns of Ethnogenesis Mini-Conference. Ottawa, Ontario. Audio​
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