This Branch provides leadership in co-ordinating and developing policies, initiatives and support to First Nations' issues as they pertain to forest management. The Branch works with regions and districts to provide advice and guidance on the appropriate application of policies as they relate to ministry operations and support for economic opportunities in the forest sector and supporting negotiations undertaken by the Ministry of Recognition and Reconciliation (MARR) with First Nations.

At this site, you will find information about the laws, policies and procedures for protecting archaeological sites and artifacts in British Columbia - resources that range from local to international significance. The site is divided into sections containing information tailored to a number of groups having an interest in British Columbia archaeology or a need to incorporate archaeological concerns into their planning and development.

The MARR focuses its efforts in three main strategic areas: bridging the socio-economic gaps between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians through the Transformative Change Accord and the Metis Nation Relationship Accord, building strong and respectful relationships between government and Aboriginal organizations, and ongoing efforts to conclude treaties and other lasting agreements.

Links to a wide variety of archaeology resources: handbooks/manuals, reports/publications, relevant forms.

This handbook has been developed to support foresters in effectively and efficiently managing archaeological resources as part of forestry operations. The handbook contains information on a definition of archaeological sites and their relationship to cultural heritage resources, recommended archaeological planning studies, the steps to take when archaeological sites are accidentally damaged, and more.

Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) and yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) are considered to be important forest resources to First Nations and to the forest industry in the coastal region of British Columbia. Many First Nation groups in the coastal region have used and continue to utilise red and yellow cedar for traditional and cultural purposes. These Guidelines for Managing Cedar for Cultural Purposes (Guidelines) are intended to guide the management of cedar for traditional and cultural use in the context of forest planning in the Coast Forest Region.

This document is a First Nations Information-Sharing Bulletin prepared by the Ministry of Forests and representatives of forest tenure holders. The purpose is to create consistency by providing an overview and a complete set of tasks associated with statutory review and comment requirements and common law consultation processes with First Nations related to Forest Stewardship Plans (FSPs) under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA).

This document is intended to provide information and guidance specific to woodlot licence tenure holders.

The Guide to Aboriginal Organizations and Services in British Columbia is a provincial resource listing of community-based services and organizations. The Guide is also a means by which other community service organizations, government ministries and agencies, and the general public may become knowledgeable about specific Aboriginal services and organizations.

The Aboriginal Mapping Network (AMN) is a cooperative website that supports aboriginal and indigenous peoples facing similar issues such as land claims, treaty negotiations and resource development. Common tools, such as traditional use studies, GIS mapping and other information systems are used in a collaborative manner, benefiting users of the AMN.

The Centre supports and encourages sustainable utilization of non-timber forest resources in the temperate and boreal regions of the world. "Sustainable utilization" refers to the protection and enhancement of subsistence, cultural, recreational and commercial uses, as well as the protection of ecosystem values. The principal focus of the Centre is the wise use of non-timber forest resources to diversify and sustain rural and resource-dependent economies.

The First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP) provides funding and support to First Nations to participate in the forest sector. The purpose of the web site is to provide participating First Nations and other interested individuals detailed information about the program. The First Nations Forestry Program is jointly funded by Natural Resources Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and delivered in partnership with First Nations.

On April 27, 2006, BC First Nations, through the First Nations Leadership Council, established the First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) to provide support to BC First Nations with respect to forestry-related matters. The First Nations Forestry Council is governed by a board of directors composed of: representatives from the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations.

The Centre is a non-partisan, social justice, progressive Aboriginal think tank focused on the social, economic, and environmental policy and research concerns of Aboriginal people in British Columbia and Canada. The Centre is a bridge that encourages collaborative solutions by bringing people together beyond politics to promote participatory research, policy alternatives and hope.

"We are a national, First Nation-directed environmental non-profit organisation with charitable status. We were established in 1994 by a group of First Nation Chiefs from across Canada. Through our programs, we take action on climate change, build sustainable communities, protect lands and waters, and conserve biodiversity."

The NAFA mission is to promote and support increased Aboriginal involvement in forest management and related commercial opportunities, while staying committed to holistic or multiple-use forestry, to build sustainable Aboriginal communities. NAFA cooperates with various levels of government, the forest industry, associations, educational institutions and other Aboriginal organizations to achieve its objectives.

This conference attempted to systematically define some important questions such as: What is Indigenous Peoples' Knowledge (IPK)? How do we recognize it as a knowledge system of equal importance to Western science? Are there enough successful field incorporation experiences that would allow us to start developing a set of principles for the integration of IPK with Western science? These conference proceedings provide a good dialogue about these critical questions facing resource managers in British Columbia.

The author (Terry Tobias) uses the term "land use occupancy and mapping" to refer to the collection of interview data about traditional use of resources and occupancy of lands by First Nation persons, and the presentation of those data in map form. This guide is intended for a wide audience, and the information and ideas contained here should be of use to anyone who has the responsibilities of designing mapping projects and providing guidance to community interviewers.

This publication is intended for resource managers to explore current knowledge and practice in non-timber forest product (NTFP) management, including both inventory and compatible management of NTFP values with timber values. NTFPs are used for cultural, subsistence, recreational, and commercial purposes, and offer a wide range of opportunities for cultural maintenance and revival, support of forest biodiversity, as well as rural community economic development and stability. Non-timber forest products - including services such as education - are of particular importance to Aboriginal peoples throughout British Columbia, given the inter-relatedness with traditional use species.