Williams Lake, B.C. - In a special episode of the YourForest Podcast released on June 19, 2024, Percy Guichon, executive director of Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) and Councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation, sat down with host Matthew Kristoff to delve into topics surrounding reconciliation in the forestry sector. Throughout the episode, Guichon shared details about his life, discussing his experiences attending Residential School, ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous peoples due to inequitable opportunities, and the origins of CCR and its vision.
“Being on a podcast was a new experience for me. I appreciated the opportunity to share my story in a more personal way,” reflected Guichon. “While it was tough at first to open up about my past, I know that these types of stories must be shared to help people better understand what Indigenous people went through. Sharing that it is possible for small and remote communities to be able to evolve and build capacity to bring them to the forefront of forest management means a lot to me.”
YourForest Podcast, created in 2017, deals with diverse topics around environmental issues and forest management, discussing the challenges and triumphs of the pursuit of sustainability and providing insight to both the public and forest professionals alike. Matthew Kristoff, creator and host of the podcast, reflected on his experience interviewing Guichon, stating, “Percy Guichon was such a fantastic guest. His openness and easy-going nature made our conversation really enjoyable. His story is now another one of those incredible conversations that I will re-listen to now and again to help re-gain perspective and continue to grow as a person and professional. Reconciliation is something we all need to take a part in, and he gave us a sneak peak into what it is like for many Indigenous people living today and the unsurmountable odds they face to stand up for their rights and community.”
The episode also included a discussion around the importance of community involvement and the necessity of collaboration to achieve successful, community-based forest management opportunities.
“There has been a big shift toward the inclusion of First Nations communities in decision-making processes and having a say in what happens on their territory,” emphasized Guichon. “Seeing these changes in forestry management and having Indigenous people lead the way feels like a bright light for the future. It’s been long time coming, but now we have an opportunity to really work in collaboration with communities for generations.”
With National Indigenous Peoples Day approaching on June 21, Guichon highlighted the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into forestry management to ensure their voices are part of the decision-making process, and further highlighted the need to build and maintain strong relationships. He emphasized that true reconciliation involves creating meaningful opportunities and partnerships that benefit both, the communities and the land.
“It’s important for people to understand where we come from, who we are, and what our needs and goals might be. My advice is to reach out to communities and begin discussions to create a relationship and provide opportunities for development and education,” explained Guichon. “Keep the doors open for communities that are often overlooked and give them an equitable opportunity to be able to be involved in decision-making or business opportunities. This is how we can be good allies.”
To listen to the full episode and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes in Indigenous-led forestry management and the ongoing efforts toward reconciliation in the sector, visit YourForest Podcast at https://spoti.fi/3Vw9959.
For more information and to set up an interview with CCR, contact:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison | aleece@amplifyinc.ca | 250.574.0221
About Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd.
Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation was formed by the two partners in the spring of 2017. The joint venture was originally formed to address the 100,000 hectares of dead pine left in the Chilcotin region and to rehabilitate those stands into productive forests. The fires in the summer of 2017 amplified the need to address heavily burned forest stands with minimal economic values. Its mission is to coordinate and implement large-scale forestry programs and initiatives within the traditional territories of the Tŝideldel First Nation and the Tl’etinqox Government, generating economic, social, and environmental benefits. For more information: www.centralcr.ca
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