Forestry – Tŝilhqot’in National Government

Forests are an integral part of the Tŝilhqot’in Peoples livelihood and as such the Nation works to protect our rights and interests within forest resource activities. As changes in the forestry sector are made, TNG works to keep our communities informed about economic opportunities and protect our Aboriginal rights & title.

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Stewardship Department helped to change major parts of the new Forest Stewardship Plans (FSPs) further enhancing protection for our moose, fisher, fur-bearers, and in maintaining and sustaining biodiversity habitat at the stand level. Although changes were made in the new FSPs for all forest licensees to follow encompassing most of the territory, more research is required from the Tŝilhqot’in Nation due to cumulative impacts from forest pathogens and wildfires, most notably the 2017 wildfire season that burned vast areas in the territory. The new FSP does not cover all of the changes wanted by the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in terms of full forestry management, therefore the Tŝilhqot’in communities Land Use Plan (LUPs) projects are very important. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Stewardship Department will continue to assist land use planning moving forward.

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Stewardship Department assisted ʔEsdilagh First Nation in successfully acquiring more timber volume under its replaceable forest license in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Stewardship Department is also working towards changes in the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area in order to sustain our forests and provide options for future generations in working for Tŝilhqot’in owned forestry businesses, contributing to policy, business, and employment opportunities.

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Stewardship Department continues to assist our six Tŝilhqot’in communities with forestry related policies and business matters through the Tŝilhqot’in Nation Forestry Working Group, which focuses on technical forestry policy and business solutions. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Forestry Working Group is made up of designated forestry professionals or experienced forestry representatives from each of the six Tŝilhqot’in communities which has evolved into a communication hub allowing both the forest industry and government to present forestry related opportunities or issues to this technical table. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Forestry Working Group also provides guidance on common business goals or issues internally among the six Tŝilhqot’in forestry businesses. This collaboration led to a formal agreement with the BC government to award post-2017 wildfire rehabilitation work including fireguards and roads used by the BC Wildfire branch for fire suppression efforts. This collaborative business planning work also led to the creation of fire suppression strike teams comprised of Tŝilhqot’in forestry businesses to respond to future wildfire suppression work in Tŝilhqot’in territory. These discussions between the Tŝilhqot’in Forestry Working Group, government, and the business sector help identify current and future opportunities and the potential resolution of issues.

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Stewardship Department continues to assist Tsilhqot’in communities on forest policies and business opportunities. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation forestry department provides technical support to the Tŝilhqot’in Chiefs, the Dandzen Corporation, and other projects. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Forestry Department continues to liaise with the BC and federal governments on forestry related issues and opportunities in the territory.