Are community members welcome on site during the search?
We encourage community members to be present and actively involved during the search. We consider it a privilege to work with members of the community on site.
How can community members help or be part of the project?
Community members can participate in the project in a variety of ways. Members can help or be a part of the GPR surveying in many capacities including pushing the machine, helping with measurements.
How can we get the community members to help out and volunteer?
We encourage you to host engagement and information sessions that we will attend and talk with your community members to explain how we work and our process.
We give advice as to releasing results in a manner that is sensitive to survivors and the community.
How do we decide what areas to search?
- Multiple factors are considered when determining what areas to search. Consultation with survivors and other community members is a good place to start.
- Accessibility of the search areas is another factor.
- Historic human remains detection dogs are specifically trained to locate older human remains. Areas where dogs alert can be valuable areas to begin searching.
How do we begin the search process within our community?
Askîhk is here to help guide you and your community through the search process from start to finish. Contact us to begin moving forward with consultation.
Where is a good place to start looking for resources to help with research?
Check out some of the links on our Community Resources page
What type of supports should a community have available at time of team coming out and doing the work?
Check out some of the links on our Community Resources page , and we’re happy to give you ideas
How can we access funding for our community?
Check out some of the links on our Community Resources page
Where can we find a cost breakdown or what is the typical cost for a project?
Costs vary project to project. Fill out the Contact Form with details and we’ll get back to you with an estimated cost breakdown for your particular project.
How long does the project take or what type of timeline would we be looking at?
Project timelines can vary. Check out our Project Planning Page to get a better understanding of project timelines.
How many people does it take to do a GPR Search?
GPR searches take a minimum of four people per GPR unit. We encourage community involvement during the search process.
What should be done in preparation for fieldwork?
We are here to help you create a plan that works for you and your community. We have experience working with communities across Canada and can offer our expertise in preparation planning. General initiation looks like:
- Form a community project team
- Consult with chief and council
- Consult with Elders and members of your community
- Apply for funding
- Schedule the dates for field work
- Clear the search areas you are interested in of trees, brush, and long grass
What happens after fieldwork is completed?
- After fieldwork is completed, we ensure that the community has a copy of the data that we collected.
- Data analysis is conducted after fieldwork is completed.
- A comprehensive results report will be provided to the community
- We also provide consultation in releasing results to the community and public media.
How do we incorporate media release into our project planning?
“Interference. Areas that are covered by brush, trees, and tall grass do not allow the GPR machine to pass over.” belongs at the end of “what type of area can you not use GPR equipment.
What is the difference between a 250, 500, and 1000 MHz GPR?
Ans: GPRs with different wavelengths are used in different circumstances. A 250 MHz unit has a signal that travels deeper into the ground than a 500 or 1000 MHz unit. However, a 500 MHz unit offers better resolution than a 250 MHz unit. A 1000 MHz unit provides very high resolution but can only see objects at shallow depths. We most often use a combination of 250 and 500 MHz GPR units depending on the soil conditions at each site.
Are any search technologies 100% accurate?
No non-invasive search technology is 100% accurate. That’s why we use multiple techniques and different types of evidence to ensure the most accurate results possible.
What is the purpose of GPR?
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a tool that is used to see what is under the ground without digging. It can be used to find buried objects, old building remains, pipes, and can be employed to find unmarked graves.
How much area can the GPR machine do per day?
The area that a GPR machine can cover in a day varies based on vegetation, and ground conditions. We’ll work with you to figure out a best estimate of how long field work may take.
How accurate is the GPR equipment?
GPR is very good at finding things underground, but it is not always perfect. It can show shapes and layers beneath the surface, but it does not always tell what exactly the object is. The accuracy can depend on the type of soil, and the land use since something was buried. That’s why we use multiple lines of evidence, such as survivor truths, to ensure that our findings are as accurate as possible.
What type of area can you not use GPR equipment?
GPR equipment does not work well in areas with a lot of water, like swamps or extremely wet soil. It also does not work well in areas that are extremely rocky or overly bumpy. Areas with an abundance of metal near the surface can cause problems with signal
Who owns the data that is collected?
The community owns 100% of the data that is collected.
Will we receive a copy of the data collected?
We ensure that you will receive a copy of the data collected after each step of the ground surveying process.