Tŝilhqot’in National Government is hiring a GIS Technician. Closing date July 29th, 2019. See the job posting for more details.

At Firelight, we understand that some projects which are culturally, politically, or ecologically important to Aboriginal communities are also very difficult to fund. We commit a portion of our revenues to funding these types of programs or research projects. We will consider supporting community-based research and projects with partial or full funding that would otherwise be hard to fund and have high cultural significance. To assist in the funding allocation process, Firelight will be utilizing a funding docket approach for 2019 Social Return projects. The proposed intake deadline for the spring is June 15th, 2019 by 5pm PST, which will be able to fund projects up to $15,000. 

Download the Call for Proposals and Application Guideline here.

For additional information, please contact Katy Dimmer at 780-760-1255 or Carolyn Whittaker at 250-590-9017.

Firelight’s Steve DeRoy was interviewed by Karen Pauls on CBC’s Unrserved, January 18th. Listen to Steve talk about working with Google Earth to add Indigenous lands to Google Maps. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/redrawing-the-lines-1.4973363/how-one-cartographer-is-helping-indigenous-communities-put-themselves-on-the-map-1.4973373

Dr. Ginger Gibson speaks with Mark Connolly of CBC’s Edmonton AM about the growing field of Indigenous consulting on October 31, 2018. Listen here at: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/edmonton-am/segment/15624511 

The Project Officer will support the Lands Manager with matters that affect Blueberry River First Nations land and waters. Important responsibilities of this job include forestry review, analysis and correspondence, traditional knowledge administration, lands administration, inspections and correspondence related to management of lands.

For more information and to apply, see the full job posting linked below.

https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob?t=forestry+project+officer&jk=b31b27f4a5015181&_ga=2.165590591.1292090145.1529429073-1862978353.1494543454

Indigenous women and children in remote communities are subject to a “risk pile up” related to many socioeconomic and historical factors. These populations may face negative consequences from remote construction camps, including increased rates of sexual assault and violence, addictions, sexually transmitted infections, and family violence as a result of the presence of industrial camps and transient work forces. Data from local RCMP detachments shows a 38% increase in sexual assaults during the first year of the construction phase of an industrial project, as well as an increase in sex work in areas where there is an increase in industrial traffic.

Remote camps are a part of the construction plan for most industrial projects in the north. Many remote construction camps already exist across northern British Columbia, and there are many more proposed.

A recent Maclean’s article used the polarizing term, “man camps,” to review research on industrial camps championed by Indigenous communities. Maclean’s news article: “Are ‘man camps’ that house pipeline construction workers a menace to Indigenous women?” made reference to the important work of Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli Whut’en related to the complex issue of industrial camps.

We strongly disagree with this inflammatory word choice – it has resulted in men feeling they have to defend themselves, and women feeling they are not supported. It does nothing to advance the understanding of the issue.

In 2016, Indigenous-led research in northern BC focused on reviewing the impacts and benefits of siting industrial camps close to small and already vulnerable communities. Indigenous women—leaders within their communities of Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli Whut’en—initiated the study to identify concerns expressed during the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline review process.

Through a collaborative process that included interviews with community members, Firelight supported research to generate strategies, policies and programs for municipalities, companies, Indigenous communities, and the BC Government to implement for the protection of women, youth and communities. Certainly, our research reviewed what at times is a hyper-masculine context in construction camps; however, our intent was to identify wellness strategies for communities and camps. Polarizing the discussion with terms like “man camps” is not helpful for the women and families who are most affected by these camps. What we need to do is look for solutions.

Following the “Industrial Camps and Indigenous Communities” report released in early 2017, the research has led to many different outcomes—including engagement within various organizations and governments throughout Canada, new positions within the communities to prepare emergency response plans, and a commitment from the Government of BC to address the proposed recommendations through a Cross-Ministerial working group. This working group is set to respond to the report this summer. We look forward to seeing the working group implement positive solutions for women and children to reduce the risks associated with remote industrial camps.

The Maclean’s article is available here.

The full Firelight 2017 report is available here.

NEWS RELEASE

May 25 2018

“Building Relationships and Cultivating Social Licence: A Guide for Small Tenure Holders In BC”

Burns Lake – Innovation in forestry typically suggests using new technologies for forest management or forest products and that enhance economic opportunities. The new BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) resource for small tenure holders is about innovation in relationships. The guide offers examples of lessons learned and a framework for developing relationship-based approaches which go beyond the legal requirements for small tenures.

The guide was developed for managers of small tenures in BC: community forest agreements, First Nations woodlands licences and woodlot licences, who are working closely with local communities, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and with provincial, federal, and municipal agencies.

“Developing social licence for forest management activities in your community means investing time, resources, and personal effort. Yet the benefits of durable and strengthened relationships with local Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are worth the investment,” concluded Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director of the BCCFA.

The guide includes two case studies: Collaboration in the wildland urban interface, showcasing the work of a diverse planning group in the Regional District of Central Kootenay and FSC certification: standards for community engagement featuring the Burns Lake Community Forest and their efforts to manage for community values in the post-beetle landscape.

The guide was developed by Susan Mulkey, Carolyn Whittaker, John Cathro and Erik Leslie with technical assistance from the Firelight Group and financial support from the Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

To download the guide, click here.

For further information, please contact:

Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director, BCCFA: (250) 384-4110 jgunter@bccfa.ca

Susan Mulkey, Manager, Communication and Extension, BCCFA: (250) 353-1184 smullkey@bccfa.ca