First Nations Forestry Council
669 Centre Street V9R 4Z5 Nanaimo, BC, Canada

The six goals of the BC & First Nations Forest Strategy link directly to several of UNDRIP’s articles. This doesn’t just support reconciliation with #FirstNations: it promotes sustainable forest management, fosters the economic prosperity of BC, and supports the revitalization of rural BC #UNDRIP provides critical guidance for the province and First Nations to jointly implement the Forest Strategy and make systematic change. Read the full Strategy at https://bit.ly/FNForestStrategy.

#InteriorRenewal: "Recommendations to support the revitalization of the interior forest sector" provides 30 actions the province can take towards fulfilling their commitment to reconciliation through review of, and changes to, forest legislation, policy, and regulations with First Nations as equal partners: https://bit.ly/2V65Fro We look forward to making progress on the interior renewal revitalization in collaboration with the new Minister of Forests, Katrine Conroy.

Congratulations to both Katrine Conroy - Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development - and Murray Rankin - Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. We look forward to working together in partnership to advance the work set out in the BC & First Nations Forest Strategy: https://bit.ly/3dL7D8p

"Indigenous peoples and local communities are among the most effective stewards of biodiversity, with landmark United Nations and peer-reviewed research documenting their contribution. Additional research has further revealed that where the rights of indigenous and local groups are strong, the forests and other ecosystems on their lands are at less risk of destruction."

We have released 20 recommendations from BC First Nations to inform proposed changes to the Forest & Range Practices Act (FRPA), Land Use Planning, and the development of a new strategy for old growth management that reflects First Nations’ values: https://bit.ly/3nBOrhC

Leading by example for #BCFirstNations asserting jurisdiction over their land. When we look at managing the forest in our forestry department, we look at it sustainably, said Klay Tindall, a colleague of Gabriel’s at Lil'wat Forestry Ventures. We look at what inventories of wood are out there, what we can log and what we’re keeping behind. We don’t feel like that’s being done with some of the other resources out there, specifically these botanical resources.

A commitment means more than words it requires action. It means meaningful & sustained engagement with #FirstNations on forest legislation & policy that impacts directly on Nations’ land governance & the ability of Indigenous business to survive & thrive in the forest sector. UBCIC First Nations Summit Government of British Columbia BC NDP BC Green Party BC Liberal Party

#REPOST from one of our Indigenous Forestry Scholarship recipients: So incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had through First Nations Forestry Council. I worked my butt off to get back into school, and was awarded the opportunity to work with them a few months before school started. I quit my job, and moved 5 hours away to work in the outdoors after 8 years of working in a salon. As someone with anxiety and super adverse to change I was freaking out! I’m so fortuna...te to have worked two summers with an amazing team as part of this opportunity, and I can’t wait for round 3. School is super tough sometimes but I have moments where I feel giddy because I feel so at home in this industry, it’s in my blood as much as I tried to resist it for my whole life. 1/4 of the way through year two and 1 and 1/4 of the way through getting a degree! Something I never imagined I could do! #grateful #forestryworkforce #poweredbyfirstnations #indigenousforestrystudent #forestrybc #womeninforestry #indigenouswomeninforestry #métis

A commitment means more than words it requires action. It means meaningful & sustained engagement with #FirstNations on forest legislation & policy that impacts directly on Nations’ land governance & the ability of Indigenous business to survive & thrive in the forest sector. UBCIC First Nations Summit Government of British Columbia BC NDP BC Green Party BC Liberal Party

Take the quiz and find out at https://bit.ly/2EJEeiw.

DOOR PRIZES: Make your rainy days better with one of our #ForestryConnect umbrellas! Today, we’ll be picking 10 people who create their virtual resumes at www.forestryconnect.ca to receive a free umbrella

The government has stalled on implementing the BC First Nations Forest Strategy, which was created in partnership with the province and endorsed last year by UBCIC, the First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations.The strategy outlines six goals to address reconciliation in alignment with B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and facilitates an increased role of First Nations in the stewardship of forest resources. They’re committing to implement the old-growth strategic review report in its totality and yet, there’s been no meaningful input from First Nations and that work still needs to be done, Higgins says. She adds that the current focus on managing forests for timber rather than ecosystem resilience and biodiversity needs to change.

Happy #NationalForestWeek! Visit bit.ly/3dL7D8p to read the BC & First Nations Forest Strategy. #ItsTime

This provincial election is an important time to advance reconciliation and the modernization of government-to-government relationships, with increased role of #BCFirstNations in the stewardship and governance of forest lands and resources. We call on the incoming BC Government to fully endorse the BC First Nations Forest Strategy, and work with us to implement it: bit.ly/FNForestStrategy

Today marks #OrangeShirtDay. We wish to acknowledge and remember those who have been victims of the residential school system. We see and acknowledge the intergenerational echo of what it meant. And we invite our partners to take today to listen, learn, and share as we continue to grow through reconciliation.

The (virtual) doors are open! Come join #ForestryConnect - our Indigenous Forestry Career Fair - to learn about work opportunities, training programs, and a ton of door prizes! Visit www.forestryconnect.ca to attend, or bit.ly/2RQ2bYb to register for free now.

We are disappointed that the Province has only chosen to engage with Indigenous leaders and organizations after-the-fact, and not as true partners in the development of the Old Growth Strategic Review Report, particularly given the cultural significance of many old growth areas. - Chief Bill Williams, President of the BC First Nations Forestry Council.

Happy #NationalForestWeek! Visit bit.ly/3dL7D8p to read the BC & First Nations Forest Strategy. #ItsTime

You can still register for #ForestryConnect2020! This event will connect Indigenous youth and talent to forestry jobs and training opportunities across BC Anyone living in BC can register for free here (and enter for the chance to win an iPad!): https://bit.ly/34guwP6

For many Indigenous BC high schoolers and college graduates, this time of year normally provides opportunities to attend career fairs and networking events that set the path for employment and career opportunities. But in light of the COVID pandemic, there is a growing concern that Indigenous youth will struggle to find these opportunities. #ForestryConnect2020

The (virtual) doors are open! Come join #ForestryConnect - our Indigenous Forestry Career Fair - to learn about work opportunities, training programs, and a ton of door prizes! Visit www.forestryconnect.ca to attend, or bit.ly/2RQ2bYb to register for free now.

Register now for #ForestryConnect2020 - a virtual Indigenous career fair - to find jobs and training opportunities in the BC forest sector: bit.ly/34guwP6 Quizzes, games, and forms will help connect Indigenous talent with BC forest sector opportunities in this new virtual space. And for the first time, anyone across BC will be able to join online and enter for the chance to win over 200 prizes! Find out more: https://bit.ly/34guwP6

Check out our new Indigenous Forestry Workforce E-Newsletter right here: http://bit.ly/338HGNs You can also subscribe for future updates at http://bit.ly/318lWOS

#ItsTime for the Province to live up to their commitment and endorse the BC & First Nations Forest Strategy. Only then can we start ensuring equal forest revenue sharing with #BCFirstNations as full partners in forestry. The Annual Report on progress for implementing DRIPA fails to mention the development of an Action Plan by the Province that follows through on their commitment to involve #FirstNations in forest policy & legislative reform. We can't let this go unnoticed.

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Check out our new Indigenous Forestry Workforce E-Newsletter right here: http://bit.ly/338HGNs You can also subscribe for future updates at http://bit.ly/318lWOS

We recognize the good work that’s been done in some areas of the Joint Agenda: Implementing the Commitment Document. However, this report does not address that forestry is a priority area of work under Action 4. There is no reporting out on the development of an action plan by the province to follow through on their commitment to involve #FirstNations in forest policy & legislative reform, endorsing and implementing the BC & First Nations Forest Strategy. We cannot let this go unnoticed #ItsTime

To stop the mismanagement of forest lands and resources by BCTS, efforts to support tenure reform and recognize Indigenous jurisdiction must include the redistribution of BCTS volume to First Nations. #UNDRIP states Indigenous peoples have the rights to lands, territories, and resources. They have the right to own, use, develop, and control their lands and territories. Recognition of these principles are reflected in Goal 4 of the BC & First Nations Forest Strategy. #ItsTime for the Government of British Columbia to live up to their commitment to develop and implement the Forest Strategy.