Lil̓ wat Nation’s Journey with Fire Stewardship For this July edition of this newsletter, BCAFN shared a conversation with staff Jordon Gabriel and Klay Tindall at the Lil̓ wat Forestry Ventures to discuss fire stewardship on their territory. |
Lil̓ wat Nation's traditional territory spans from Rubble Creek in the south to Gates Lake in the north, extending east to the Upper Stein Valley and west to the coastal inlets of the Pacific Ocean. The Lil̓wat7úl people started their journey with fire stewardship for the safety of the reserve. In 2019, a grass-burning incident scorched 90 hectares in the community. This disaster sparked action for the Nation to manage and prevent further harm. Over the years, they have expanded their fire stewardship and partnered with BC Wildfire Services to conduct prescribed burns according to Nation’s values and knowledge. Lil̓ wat Nation has long understood the power of fire to manage the landscape based on knowledge held since time immemorial to inform practice. Fire plays a critical role in supporting the land’s needs through managing forest floor fuel, soil nutrition, and new growth for various wildlife uses. Field Supervisor Jordon Gabriel shared a past chief’s wisdom: “What was missing on the land was fire on the land.” The Nation's stewardship of the land is an ongoing journey of revitalizing practices in a changing world to meet the needs of the land. |
Many factors have empowered the Nation to implement culturally and safety-prescribed burns. Essential elements include the knowledge and wisdom passed down by Elders, stories, and other valuable resource material from the Nation. Research conducted by the University of British Columbia in 1969 on Lil̓ wat Elders' stewardship and ecological knowledge has also played a critical role in shaping current land stewardship practices. Another key factor of the Nation’s success in implementing culturally prescribed burns through Lil wat Forestry Ventures is the woodland license held by the Nation, providing enhanced management roles for increasing comprehensive forestry practices. However, balancing revenue and stewardship has been challenging due to increased associated costs and capacity needs. |
General Manager of Forestry Operations of Klay Tindall |
General Manager of Forestry Operations, Klay Tindall, acknowledges this delicate balance as the community increases Nation-led stewardship in forestry activities. Despite their partnership with FireSmart, Lil̓ wat Nation funds its burn initiatives. This practice is a costly undertaking and requires significant capacity developed by the Nation over decades. Nevertheless, Lil̓ wat Nation's investment in community members has boosted capacity, community knowledge, and employment rates. Positive relationships with BC Wildfire Services and local contractors are also essential to successful stewardship implementation. Lil̓ wat Forestry Ventures' continued investment in the community, culture, and stewardship supports the Nation’s long-term interests. Looking ahead, Lil̓ wat Nation is committed to conducting one burn per year. |
“It's a long-term thinking, and it's definitely not for short-term profits, but it is what gives the Nation that capacity to be able to move forward with a business that will be viable for a long, long time,” shared Jordon Gabriel. |
Field Supervisor Jordon Gabriel |
The Go Electric Emotive program, administered by Plug in BC (Fraser Basin Council), currently offers free EV test drive events for Indigenous communities in BC. Staff will bring an electric vehicle and an event kit, including resources about vehicle types, charging stations, and EV road trips. There is no associated cost to program visits or facility rentals, event insurance and volunteer rewards. |
Communities can request an EV test drive event via email. |
Disaster & Climate Risk & Resilience Assessment Virtual Sessions September 26, 28 2023 | 9 am - 12 pm |
Climate Ready BC is pleased to continue virtual sessions. We are seeking participants interested in the following: |
- Overview of Spring 2023 Sessions and selection of hazards for the provincial Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment iteration.
- Hear from First Nations, Treaty Nations, and Indigenous Partners on the newest Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment framework iteration.
- Provide a forum for communities to connect and share stories of resilience across BC.
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The BC Wildlife Federation will host a Wetlands Institute program to upgrade stewardship skills. The program is a week-long boot camp offering hands-on training in practical field skills. Field skills will include planning, design, construction and restoration work to facilitate the recovery and enhancement of wetlands. After completion of the program, participants receive a certificate of completion. |
Cost: No Charge for applicants with Wetland or Watershed projects that benefit BC or Guardians. |
Engagement on Net-Zero Requirements for New Industrial Facilities Deadline: September 20, 2023 |
The Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) invites Indigenous Peoples, communities and organizations to provide feedback on the Net Zero New Industry policy. The policy is intended to help BC achieve its legislated greenhouse gas emission targets for the industrial sector by 2050. |
The Province is interested in the following questions: - What other measures can support new industry achieve net-zero requirements?
- Should there be limitations on how many offset facilities can use?
- Policy Impacts on Indigenous Rights and Title?
- How might policy impact communities?
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Sistering Indigenous and Western Science (SINEWS) is a paid mentorship program intended to increase the representation and participation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in science-related disciplines and research. |
Pairs of female-identifying students, one of which must be Indigenous, will propose, develop, implement and report research projects relevant to community needs and are supported within the mandate of Natural Resources Canada (NRACan) for a 4-8 month term position. |
First Nation Adapt funding is allocated for communities below the 60th parallel and responds to climate change impacts on community infrastructure and disaster risk reduction. |
The program provides support for communities to address one or more of the following programs: - Risk assessments of climate change impacts on community infrastructure or emergency management.
- Development and assessment of adaptation options.
- Cost-benefit analysis of adaptation options.
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The First Nations Health Authority: Environmental Contaminants Program (ECP) aims to support First Nations projects that explore the link between human health and environmental contaminants. The program encourages community based study with traditional knowledge and empirical science. |
Indigenous Clean Energy has received funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to accelerate the implementation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Canada. The EV Charge Up Program will provide up to 75% financial rebates to increase EV infrastructure projects in public places, on-street, multi-unit residential buildings and workplaces. |
The Cultural Burning & Prescribed Fire website created by Firesmart recognizes Indigenous Peoples as stewards of the land and fire as a stewardship tool by many Nations to tend the land. It is a digital space on cultural burning history, significance, and prescribed burns today. The website offers a variety of resources, videos, podcast updates and news for Nations to journey to pursue stewardship objectives with fire. |
Prince George Office 1004 Landooz Rd | Prince George, BC | V2K 5S3 Tel. (250) 962-1603 |
Vancouver Office Suite 1090-1200 W 73rd Ave | Vancouver, BC | V6P 6G5 Tel. (778) 945-9911 |
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