When the Metlakatla Cumulative Effects Management (CEM) Program set out to redesign their website, they weren’t just looking for a fresh coat of paint. They needed a site that felt like home—a space that truly reflected the values, knowledge, and deep-rooted stewardship of Metlakatla First Nation.

More than just a digital refresh, this project was about making complex environmental data more accessible, weaving storytelling into science, and creating a site that felt welcoming to Nation Members first—not just government agencies or outside researchers.

They wanted a website that made sense for their community. A place where history, culture, and environmental responsibility came together. A place where people could see themselves.

That’s where Harc Creative came in.

Listening First, Always

Before anything was designed, before any pages were mapped out, Harc did what they do best: they listened.

And not just the polite, “nod-along-so-we-can-get-to-the-fun-stuff” kind of listening. Real, deep listening.

“Harc Creative really listened to our needs and wants for this project,” says Jean Nelson, Nation Member and CEM Program Manager. “Their deep listening made the outcome of our project really AMAZING!”

Through thoughtful conversations, user experience research, and a whole lot of questions, Harc helped surface what mattered most:

• Metlakatla’s stewardship is inherited and ongoing—this work isn’t new, and the site needed to honor generations of care for the land.
• Everything is connected—the people, the land, the language, the culture. The website had to reflect that unity, not separate things into silos.
• Storytelling is how community engagement thrives—so the website needed to showcase real people, real voices, and real stories.

With these guiding principles, the project moved forward—not as a website build, but as a collaboration rooted in respect and relationship.

A True Collaboration—Not Just a Transaction

Harc’s job wasn’t to show up with a slick, pre-packaged solution. It was to work alongside Metlakatla CEM, helping shape a site that felt truly theirs.

“Yes! They took our objectives and ideas for this project and made it happen to our liking,” Jean says.

And that meant more than just checking boxes—it meant making sure every choice felt right for the people who’d be using the site. That meant:

✔ Simplifying navigation so Nation Members could easily find what they needed.
✔ Bringing in more community voices and faces so the site felt personal, not institutional.
✔ Reframing the language to be more relational and less academic—because this isn’t just data, it’s a story of care and responsibility.

And just as importantly, Harc made sure that when the project wrapped, the team at Metlakatla CEM felt confident navigating their own site.

“Jarren and Parker are absolutely amazing,” Jean says. “They really took the time to listen to our ideas, and once the project was done, they made sure we were comfortable navigating it.”

More Than a Website—A Platform for the Future

At the end of the day, this project wasn’t about just launching a nice-looking website. It was about building something that belongs to the Metlakatla community—a site that evolves with them, tells their stories, and makes their important work easier to share.

“It truly felt like a collaborative project,” says Katerina Kwon, CEM Advisor. “Parker and Jarren’s vibrant and creative energy made the process easy, productive, and fun! They really took care with this project, and we’re so excited to have a website we’re proud to share with our community.”

For anyone about to start a big project with Harc, Jean has this advice:

“Do not be scared—Harc has got you! They will be there every step of the way. They are so patient and considerate.”

And that’s exactly the kind of partnership that makes the best work happen.