Forestry field tours deepen collaboration between two First Nations

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd (CCR) and the forestry division of the Okanagan Indian Band hosted each other on forestry field tours.

Percy Guichon, CEO of CCR said the tours took place in mid October to strengthen relationships, sharing each others expertise and technical knowledge, plus explored opportunities to advance Indigenous-led forestry and land stewardship across their respective territories.

“They came here first to see what we were doing then 2 weeks later we went down to have a look at their operations in the Osoyoos region” Guichon said, “We looked at their projects and their tree nursery that they will be opening up in June. We were collaborating, trading information, and sharing different challenges and successes that we have had in the forest industry.”

Guichon said the Okanagan Indian Band is being innovated just as we (CCR) have been in order to survive in the forest industry and getting into biomass operations out in the Chilcotin.

“They’re being strategic and using different types of management systems. For example using different types of harvesting equipment like Harvesters and Forwarders, and trying to improve the forest for wildlife and also create economic opportunities. The tree nursery that’s something that we (CCR), we plant a lot of trees in the Chilcotin. This Spring we planted 7 and a half million trees so we’d like to modify that and maybe look at partnership opportunities with tree nurseries in the North.”

Guichon noted that the two territories may look different and carry out different projects for our regions but the goals are the same.

“We want healthier forests, safer communities, and we want stronger futures for our Nations. In order to survive in these uncertain times in the forest industry we have to work together. We have to compliment each others businesses, we can’t be competing, we can’t be drawing lines. We have to work together and collaborate, that’s the only way we can, I think, be successful in our respective territories.”

Guichon said they always welcome our First Nations to come and tour Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation’s operations and we’re always open to sharing our knowledge and our experiences.

If we can help someone and vice versa, it’s great, Guichon added.