Indigenous partnerships in silviculture

First Nations knowledge systems emphasize the interconnectedness of land, water, and living beings and consider the cumulative effects of forest activities. Partnerships with nations across the province have resulted in innovative approaches to sustainability and forest health.

On this page

• Collaboration with First Nations
• Sustaining the land and communities
• A partnership in practice
• First Nation Forestry Council

Collaboration with First Nations

Collaboration with First Nations strengthens sustainable silviculture practices through open and trustworthy communication. Sharing knowledge during the planning of silviculture projects allows First Nations an opportunity to co-develop, along with interest holders, solutions, address concerns, and offer alternative approaches to practices.

Partnerships are particularly beneficial and productive when communities actively participate in monitoring silviculture activities during all phases of forest development, including post-harvesting operations.

Sustaining the land and communities

For many First Nations, the land is a living system to be cared for and used responsibly, with emphasis on how use sustains ecological and cultural values. First Nations, like other communities, engage in forest-based businesses, including industrial forestry in their territories. Each of these activities is done in a way that cannot compromise the land, community forest-based businesses, or the community’s ability to continue to sustain themselves from their territories.

Learn more about First Nations partnerships in British Columbia

A partnership in practice

Tree Farm Licence 37 Forest Landscape Plan Pilot Project in the Nimpkish Valley on Vancouver Island is an example of an innovative partnership between the 'Namgis First Nation, the Ministry of Forests and, agreement holder, Western Forest Products (WFP). ‘Namgis and WFP established a technical team to bring together local First Nations knowledge and experienced forest professionals to lead the planning process. Subject matter experts, including staff from the Province, also assisted the technical team.

The plan's development was informed through engagement with the ‘Namgis community, and through information sessions with employees, contractors, local, and regional government and the Nimpkish Woodlands Advisory Committee. The Province, in conjunction with WFP, has provided the necessary financial and in-kind support.

Learn more about TFL37 Forrest  Landscape Planning Pilot Project

First Nation Forestry Council

The Ministry of Forests’ Forest Science Planning and Practices Branch (FSPPB) works in partnership with the First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) to advance silviculture and forest management approaches that support Indigenous values, long‑term forest health, and explore opportunities to improve forest stewardship. This partnership provides a forum for dialogue, shared learning, and cooperation on silviculture initiatives that inform the development of provincial policy and guidance. Through regular working sessions and co-presenting at FNFC forestry forums, FSPPB is collaborating with FNFC to explore how silviculture can better support values related to cultural use, wildlife, water, soils, and wildfire resilience. The partnership emphasizes early discussion of emerging initiatives, transparency around policy direction, and the integration of Indigenous, practitioner, and scientific knowledge.

This approach helps identify shared objectives, allows the co‑development of considerations for implementation, and the improvement of silviculture guidance over time. Insights from this work help FSPPB better understand how provincial silviculture frameworks are experienced on the ground and where policy and guidance may need change to reflect diverse values and site specific conditions. By maintaining a relationship with FNFC, FSPPB seeks to ensure that silviculture policy development is informed early by Indigenous perspectives and contributes to forest management approaches that are ecologically sustainable, culturally appropriate, and address long‑term stewardship priorities. This was reflected in the co-development of the Silviculture Systems Handbook.