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STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT

Forestry/Economic Development

Sam Zirnhelt, RPF, M.For.Sci. - Contractor
Stewardship Department Manager

Sam Zirnhelt

Gene Cooper, Forestry Liaison Worker

Since 1993 I have worked as a Forestry Liaison Worker at TNG for the Tsilhqot'in Communities. Licensees of WLTSA request that I communicate forest development plans to the communities and set up meetings to start dialogue between the companies. With changes coming down in the forestry sectors, challenges increase to keep our communities up to date as well as are aware of the employment opportunities while protecting their rights & title.

Recently, the Tsilhqot'in Stewardship Department has being established. Under direction from TNG chiefs and WLTSA, I work with the Tsilhqot'in Stewardship Department in any new developments to enhancing communication to the communities.

Gene Cooper

Margaret Lulua, Community Natural Resource Worker

Hunelht’ah? Sid ?eguh se?anest’ah. My name is Margaret Lulua and I am from the Tsilhqot’in community of Xeni, also known as Nemiah Valley. I am currently employed as the Community Natural Resource Worker with the Tsilhqot’in Stewardship Department here at the Tsilhqot’in National Government. I was hired on in July of 2005 as an auxiliary worker under a CCATEC program for the first six (6) months and was eventually hired on full-time with the Stewardship Department.

My job mainly is dealing with the incoming referrals for forestry, land & water, archaeology and recreation that are referred in the Tsilhqot’in territory. I work closely with each of the six (6) Tsilhqot’in communities to help them process and address such referrals. I am also currently a member of the Tsilhqot'in Stewardship Council on behalf of Xeni Gwet’in. I also assist with other management issues that are directly related with the Stewardship Department. I have had the opportunity to supervise two Youth Skills Development projects that were filtered through this department, one with Human Resource Skills Development Canada and the other with CCATEC. It was a learning experience for me. I am proud of the students that went through these programs, they did an exceptional job and I am sure that the skills that they have learned while working here will help them succeed in their endeavors. My long awaited future goal is to receive my Registered Professional Forester’s degree. I am very fortunate to be working with a team of inspirational and influential people here at the Stewardship Department and also the Tsilhqot’in National Government as a whole that continue to offer their unending support and expertise. Thanks guys!

Margaret Lulua

Chad Stump, Refferal Worker

Chad Stump

Trina Phillips, Community Natural Resource Worker

Trina Setah is a member of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government (Nemiah Band). Her parents are Laura Setah and the late Harry Setah. She is the proud mom of three boys and has a brother, brother-in-law, sister, a proud auntie to four nieces and one nephew. She has worked with the Shuswap Nation starting with the Soda Creek Band as an Education Assistant and then moving up to the Treaty Assistant; which she had done for a couple of years. She then accepted a position with the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council as the Joint Resource Coordinator, and worked there for two years. The Joint Resource Coordinator position gave her the opportunity to work with the Natural Resource Workers & Community Fish Representatives. She had organised, facilitated meetings and training for the Joint Resource Committee (Natural Resource staff and Fisheries staff). The positions have all been very educational, and she has much to offer from all of the work experience that she has gained.
Education; Trina has taken the 6 Month Training Program through Thompson Rivers University; Assistant Forest Technician Program. She had also completed her grade 12 and received her Dogwood Certificate; specialising in Forestry as one of the main electives through High School, and completed the Bookkeeping with Business Management Certificate from Thompson Rivers University. Trina has received quite a bit of training using the Microsoft Word programs, and had learned a lot about organisation and the importance of image (business and personal).
Trina started working for the Tsilhqot’in National Government Stewardship Department as a Community Natural Resource Worker on September 7, 2010 by contract and her contract has been extended past March 2011. To date she has been working on referrals, minute taking upon request, providing assistance to fellow co-workers where needed, and organising for upcoming meetings/workshops/training upon request.
Trina is very happy to be working for the Tsilhqot’in National Government, as this was always a goal to achieve and she is looking forward to bringing her knowledge, skills and working with the Tsilhqot’in. The past few months have been very beneficial to expanding the knowledge base when working with outside organisations, and learning more about the Tsilhqot’in Framework Agreement and having the ability to work on referrals using the Tsilhqot’in Portal. She would like to extend the thanks to her fellow co-workers who have helped train her since she has started working with the Stewardship Department. She looks forward to continuing her work with the Tsilhqot’in National Government and the Tsilhqot’in Nation.

Trina Phillips