Forests are an integral part of the Tŝilhqot’in people’s 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, the TNG works to keep our communities informed about economic opportunities and protect our Aboriginal rights & title.
The Tsilhqot’in Nation Stewardship department helped change major parts of the new Forest Stewardship Plans (FSPs) further enhancing protection for our moose, fisher, furbearers, and maintaining/sustaining biodiversity habitat at the stand level. Although, changes were made in the new FSPs that encompass most of the territory for all forest licensees to follow, more research is required from the Tsilhqot’in Nation due to the cumulative impacts from forest pathogens and wildfires, most notably the 2017 wildfire season that burnt vast areas in the territory. The new FSP will not cover everything that’s wanted by the Tsilhqot’in Nation’ in terms of full forestry management, so the Tsilhqot’in communities Land Use Plans (LUPs) projects are very important. The Tsilhqot’in Nation Stewardship department will continue to assist on the land use planning work.
The Tsilhqot’in Nation Stewardship department assisted ?Esdilagh First Nation on successfully acquiring more timber volume under its replaceable forest license in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area. The Tsilhqot’in Nation Stewardship department is preparing strategically to make changes in the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area to become sustainable for our forests and future generations by working with our Tsilhqot’in forestry businesses on policy, business, and employment opportunities.
The Tsilhqot’in Nation Stewardship department has and continues to assist our 6 Tsilhqot’in communities in forestry related policies and business matters through the Tsilhqot’in Nation Forestry Working Group, which focuses on technical forestry policy/business solutions. The Tsilhqot’in Nation Forestry Working Group is made up of designated forestry professionals or experienced forestry reps from each of the 6 Tsilhqot’in communities and its evolved into a communication hub allowing the forest industry and both governments to present forestry related opportunities or issues to this technical table. The Tsilhqot’in Nation Forestry Working Group also provides guidance on common business goals or issues internally amongs the 6 Tsilhqot’in forestry businesses which lead to the execution of a formal agreement with the BC government to award post-2017 wildfire work on the rehabilitation of fireguards and roads used by the BC Wildfire branch for fire suppression efforts. This collaborative business planning work also led to fire suppression strike teams comprised of Tsilhqot’in forestry businesses to respond to future wildfire suppression work in the Tsilhqot’in territory. It is an ongoing dialogue between the Tsilhqot’in Forestry Working Group, governments, and the business sector where opportunities and issues are discussed and solved if possible,
The Tsilhqot’in Nation Stewardship department continues to assist our 6 Tsilhqot’in communities on forest policies and business opportunities. The Tsilhqot’in Nation forestry department provides technical support for the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs, Dandzen Corporation, and other projects. The Tsilhqot’in Nation Forestry department continues to liaise with the BC and federal governments on forestry related issues and opportunities in the territory.