A decade ago, the Witset First Nation—whose economy has long revolved around forestry— experienced the devastating effects of an ongoing slump in the sector. At the time, the northwest BC Nation owned Kyah Wood Forest Products, a finger joint sawmill, and Kyah Industries, a small logging company.

“Our mill went into curtailment,” says Witset Chief Barry Nikal. “Ninety-four of our members lost their job. And with our logging outfit, everything slowed down and we ended up going about $670,000 in debt. So, we were back to managing poverty. And our band council said we can't keep doing this. We need to create jobs.”

Nikal says the council recognized they needed help, so he talked with their forester. “I said, ‘Find us a partner. Somebody who's going to teach us how to run our business, look after it, look after our people.”

Speakers: Chief Barry Nikal (Witset First Nation) and Dennis Callaghan (Roga Group)