Honouring Our Roots, Leading Our Future: First Nations Building a Sustainable Future in the Chilcotin

In the Cariboo Chilcotin, First Nations are not just participating in forestry; they’re leading it.

Through Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR), communities are restoring fire-impacted landscapes, preparing for the future, and integrating traditional knowledge with modern practices to reshape what sustainable forestry looks like in British Columbia. CCR is a joint venture of three First Nations including Yunesit’in Government, Tl’etinqox Government, and Tŝideldel First Nation.

Today, CCR is focused on preparing for the 2025–2026 season. This includes the layout and planning of new permits in areas heavily affected by wildfire, particularly west of Williams Lake in the Chilcotin region.

“Our work involves archaeological studies on proposed blocks and ordering seedlings for the 2026 planting season to follow the work done in 2024/2025,” said Joe Webster, Manager of Tsi Del Del Biomass, a company owned by Tŝideldel First Nation that works in collaboration with CCR. “The chipping and grinding we do to take wood waste or burnt fibre and create bioenergy is also an essential part of CCR’s extensive rehabilitation planning. Our specialized equipment, like trucks, trailers, grinders and chippers, helps us make strategic decisions around access to remote areas, the timing of this work, and the treatment cycles of when we do our initial work and plan to go back to maintain the forest.”

At the core of CCR’s operations is a deep respect for traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

“We learn from First Nations leadership and elders about the use of fire to help rehabilitate the forest, along with the principle of complete utilization of trees and stewardship of the land. These really are fundamental to how we work,” explained Webster. “Even though today’s wildfires are much larger than those that First Nations ancestors faced, their teachings still guide CCR’s operations today. We focus on clearing burnt, dead wood and finding ways to use it, rather than piling and burning it so that true rehabilitation can take place.”

This approach reflects the broader vision of Indigenous values-led forestry, where cultural knowledge, environmental responsibility, and economic opportunity come together. By managing forest tenures on their traditional lands, First Nations are working to ensure that ecological goals and cultural values are honoured alongside industry needs.

“Forestry has opened up opportunities for employment and economic development in our community by way of jobs in all sectors of forestry,” said Marilyn Charleyboy in the video Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. – Focus on Economic Outcomes, Wellness & Prevention Manager of Tŝideldel First Nation. “We’re seeing real growth, not just in logging and trucking, but in the development of roads, schools, and services that benefit everyone.”

The ripple effects of this work extend beyond the forest. Good, family-supporting jobs allow people to build more stable lives closer to home. Revenue generated from forestry has helped fund health centres, cultural facilities, and other important infrastructure. Even local fuel stations, stores, and service providers benefit.

“People are proud of our community,” shared Percy Guichon, CEO of CCR and an elected Councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation. “It’s their blood, sweat, and tears that have helped generate income and capitalize on our forest licences. That pride shows in the new health buildings, the renovated cultural centre, and the hockey rink in our community.”

The work being done today is about more than forestry; it’s about creating a prosperous future for future generations. Through blending traditional First Nations knowledge and newer techniques, CCR’s First Nations partners are showing that when First Nations take the lead, both forests and futures can thrive.