People

Staff

Dr. Ron Trosper

Associate Professor Aboriginal Forestry

Ron received his PhD from Harvard University in Economics and is from the Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation Montana. Ron has extensive knowledge and publications in "green economics", forestry institutions, land use and in Aboriginal education and curriculum development. Ron is leading a team of Faculty members on a task to improve Aboriginal course content in the curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level. The team is changing forest management curriculum to allow more flexibility and to attract a more diverse range of students. Demand from Aboriginal communities currently faced with new tenure arrangements also suggests a need to develop continuing education opportunities in land and resources management planning and business planning.

Phone: 604-822-8089
Email: ronald.trosper@ubc.ca

Volunteers

Keith Atkinson

Abstract

(FNCOA Co-chair)
Keith Atkinson is currently the chief executive officer with the B. C. First Nations Forestry Council. He is a First Nations professional forester with a continuous focus towards finding ways to assist and improve First Nations communities in their involvement and benefit from natural resource management. Keith grew up in coastal communities while developing forest management skills from employment in the family business, Coast Forest Management Ltd.  He is a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, married and currently living in North Vancouver.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry (UBC 1994).

Work Experience

Over twenty years in forest planning and management ranging from timber harvesting layout and design work, silviculture planning, development and operations of forest management consulting companies and forest resource departments in the post treaty environment. 

Affiliations

Registered Professional Forester, Association of BC Professional Foresters
President and Chair, Snuneymuxw Development Corporation
Co-Chair, First Nations Council of Advisors, UBC Faculty of Forestry

Gordon Prest

Abstract

(FNCOA Co-chair)
Gordon Prest is from the Stolo First Nation at Chilliwack, B.C. Over a period of 45 years his career has been entirely involved with forestry. Beginning in 1963 and for the next 25 years with the BC Ministry of Forests, Gordon started his career as a timber cruiser; and then quickly advanced to positions of forest ranger and forest operations superintendent. In 2009, Gordon Prest's work in promoting Aboriginal Forestry and Forestry education was honoured with the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in Environment and Conservation and also the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) Award for unique and outstanding achievement in forestry in Canada.

Education

BC Forest Service Ranger Academy; Provincial Instructor Diploma; National Instructor Diploma.

Work Experience

Upon leaving the Ministry of Forests in 1988 and over the past 20 years, Gordon has been involved with Aboriginal forest education as a forestry instructor at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and as the founding First Nation Co-ordinator for the UBC Faculty of Forestry Aboriginal Initiative which he started in 1994 and retired from in 2004.

Affiliations

Since retirement, Gordon continues to contribute on key provincial advisory committees. He is co-chair of the UBC Forestry Faculty First Nations Council of Advisors. He also serves on the Council for the Association of BC Forest Professionals and he is an advisory committee member for the Institute of Coastal Research for Vancouver Island University.

Ivan Tallio

Abstract

I am currently the programs coordinator for the BC First Nations Forestry Council. I am presently co-ordinating federal, provincial, interagency and Forestry Council involvement to help foster understanding of community and forestry stewardship opportunities under the Mountain Pine Beetle program.

Personal

I am interested in research and computing, boating, hiking, fishing and hunting.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry (Forest Operations, Universtity of British Columbia, 2005)

Work Experience

My experience is as a programs co-ordinator with the BC First Nations Forestry Council. I also have developed experience working for the Ministry of Forests as a District Aboriginal Liaison Officer (Port McNeill). Prior to that I had 9 years experience working for the Nuxalk Nation Council as their Forest Operations Co-ordinator. In this role I successfully negotiated for a 411,000m3 combined Community Forest and FRO/A License agreement with the Province. Prior to this I was the administrator of the Oweekeno Kitasoo Nuxalk Tribal Council and responsible for restoring and maintaining the organization’s good standing with various agencies, partners and business associates.

Affiliations

I volunteer with the First Nations Advisory Group of the First Nations Forestry Council. I also serve on the Chief Forester’s technical advisory council of the Ministry of Forests and Range. Previous to this I was elected to Nuxalk Council for 9 terms including 3 terms as Chief Councillor. I have served on a variety of Band Committees including Education, Finance, and Cultural. I served on the Board of Directors for a variety of organizations including a fish processing plant, and a logging company.

Linc Kesler

Abstract

Linc Kesler is an Associate Professor of English at UBC and is currently the Director of the First Nations Studies Program in the Arts Faculty, the Director of the First Nations House of Learning, and the Senior Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Affairs. He came to UBC in January 2003 to be the first director of the First Nations Studies Program and to establish its core curriculum. For the last two years, Linc has worked with a series of committees developing the UBC Aboriginal Strategic Plan. Before coming to UBC, Linc taught for twenty years at Oregon State University, where he also coordinated the establishment of an Ethnic Studies Department, an Indian Education Office, and other minority education initiatives. He has research interests in Indigenous Studies, US minority literatures, early modern English literature, semiotics, and the relation between communications technologies and conceptions of knowledge.

Personal

Indigenous ancestry: Oglala Lakota (Pine Ridge reservation, South Dakota)

Education

BA, Yale University, English literature. MA and PhD, University of Toronto, English literature.

Work Experience

University of British Columbia, 2003-present.
Oregon State Unversity, 1983-2002.

Affiliations

Professional academic organizations in literature and Indigenous studies fields.

Garry Merkel

Abstract

(FNCOA)
My purpose is simple - to create better ways to look after the land. At this stage in my life I believe that we are not putting enough effort into creating a deep philosophical base that worships the land. I work with others to build practical land management tools, organisations, education and public policy that attempt to define and incorporate this land ethic.

Personal

Married, four children, Tahltan Nation (Stikine River area of northwest B.C.)

Education

Forest Technologist Diploma, Selkirk College, Castlegar, B.C. (with honours)
B. Sc. Forestry, U. of A., Edmonton, Alta. (with distinction)
Various courses including communications, business development, community planning, education design, leadership, computers, public participation, financial management, personnel management, strategic planning, land planning, facilitation, mediation and negotiations.

Work Experience

Over thirty-five years in most aspects of land management, community development and organizational development including: surveyor; fire boss on campaign fires; duty officer; parks design and maintenance; inventory forester; silviculture contractor; development planner; road engineer; teacher; timber supply analyst; forest economist; forest policy analyst; natural resource developer; community planner; business developer; entrepreneur; manager/director/president; consultant, negotiator, facilitator, governor.

Affiliations

• Registered Professional Forester, Association of BC Professional Foresters
• Chair, Tahltan Nation Development Corporation Board of Directors
• Chair, Columbia Basin Trust Board of Directors
• Chair, Aboriginal Housing Committee - BC
• Chair, Kootenay Lake Forestry Forum
• Co-chair, BC Minister of Forests Practises Advisory Council
• Co-Chair, First Nations Council of Advisors, UBC Faculty of Forestry
• Member, Program Advisory Committee, UBC Faculty of Forestry
• Member, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Board of Directors
• Member, Program Advisory Committee, NVIT Natural Resource Technology

Dave Nordquist

Abstract

(FNCOA Co-chair)
Dave provides title and rights advice to the Adams Lake Band Chief and Council. He is involved in supervising research to develop a comprehensive Cultural Heritage Program for the Band. Dave is also developing marketing and business plans for a partnership that will re-activate the Adam's Lake Band sawmill.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry (UBC 1997) Registered Professional Forester

Work Experience

Co-ordinator of Title and Rights, Traditional Use Studies and Special Projects Adams Lake Indian Band; Previously Natural Resources Manager Adams Lake Indian Band (1997-2007); Pre- 1997 -resource assistant Ministry of Forests Salmon Arm District

Affiliations

• Past President for the National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA)
• Board member of the Aboriginal Forest Industry Council for BC
• Member of the First Nations Council of Advisors -UBC Faculty of Forestry
• First Nations Liaison to Association of BC Forestry Professionals

Jim McGrath

Abstract

Jim's work experience has centred on marketing of logs, development of cutting permits, logging supervision and silviculture supervision

Personal

Jim grew up in a logging family. His father worked as a hand faller, skidder man, bucker man. The family business completed harvesting, road construction and site preparation contracts. Jim’s home is the T’sqescen' First Nation (Canim Lake Indian Band) in north Secwepemc territory in the southern interior of B.C.

Education

Tech Diploma in environmental science and BSc. (Forest Management University of Alberta 2000) Registered Professional Forester #3998(BC)

Work Experience

Currently employed as the Tk'emlupsemc Forestry Development Corporation Manager (The TFD Corporation is accountable to Tk'emlupsemc through Chief and Council of the Kamloops Indian Band). Since graduation in 2000 Jim has worked with the Bell Pole Company, the Canim Lake Indian Band, West Fraser Corp., Weldwood Corp., and the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council.

Affiliations

Jim is a registered professional forester in BC and member of the Faculty of Forestry First Nations Council of Advisors

Brian Robinson

Abstract

Brian has a long history of doing silviculture and management consulting work with industry and government. He is currently manager of professional development and member relations with the Association of BC Forest Professionals

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry (UBC 1978)

Work Experience

Ecological classification research MoF Prince Rupert, Stand Tending Forester CanFor Inc (Coast), Forest Assistant CanFor (North Interior) Forestry Consulting (TM Thomson Prince George), Consulting Silviculture Forester (IFS Prince George), Manager Forestry Consulting (Kamloops)

Affiliations

Brian is a Registered Professional Forester.

Jeremy Boyd

Abstract

Jeremy is director of Forestry for the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council.

Personal

From the T'shilqotin Nation, Jeremy enjoys assisting and learning with all Aboriginal communities. Jeremy was actively involved in both UBC Summer Forestry camps for junior and senior high school students. Jeremy's one advice to all future students – "remember that no-one knows yourself better than you"

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry (UBC); Masters of Science in Forestry (UBC)

Work Experience

Directing the 2 forest licences of the Secwepemc Economic Development Corporation Jeremy creates training and employment opportunities for the individuals and businesses of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council member communities.

Affiliations

Jeremy is a Registered Professional Forester

Matt Wealick

Personal

Matt is a member of the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk tribe belonging to the Tzeachten First Nation. Matt grew up in the small logging community of Sayward B.C. on Northern Vancouver Island. Matt has played professional hockey in the Central Hockey League with the El Paso Buzzards. Matt currently lives in Chilliwack BC with his wife and two sons.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry (UBC); Masters in Environment and Management (Royal Roads).

Work Experience

Currently Forestry Manager for Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forestry Limited partnership. Matt worked for 17 years, prior to 2005 in a variety of forestry positions in coastal and interior ecosystems in the Province of BC.

Affiliations

Matt is a Registered Professional Forester.

 

Georgina Thomas

Personal

Georgina is from the Tlowitsis First Nation and works from her home office in Campbell River.

Education

Natural Resource Technology Diploma NVIT (2002). Bachelor of Science in Forestry (near completion).

Work Experience

Georgina works as an extension specialist for the First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) in partnership with FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership. Georgina works with FORREX on a number of objectives including: increasing funding to support Aboriginal forestry education programs; building extension networks; improving awareness of traditional ecological knowledge and respectful knowledge protocols. Prior to her position in the FORREX/ FNFC partnership Georgina worked for 4 years with Western Forest Products. Georgina has also worked with her Band doing cultural heritage work to try to monitor and mitigate impacts to her communities cultural resources.

Affiliations

Board member Yukusam Heritage Society, Alert Bay.

Andrea Lyall

Abstract

Currently, I am as a Stewardship Forester with the Squamish Forest District of the BC Ministry of Forests. I develop, execute and monitor strategic plans for forest health, fire management, visual quality, and invasive plant species. As a forester working for Aboriginal groups, I advocate for increasing access to forest product materials, writing referral letters, developing Memorandum of Understanding, harmonization plans and creating contract opportunities. While working for First Nations groups, I have the opportunity to be exposed to variety within the forestry field, develop many skills, work indoors and outdoors, and learn how to balance economic growth with protecting natural resources.

Personal

Andrea grew up in Victoria, BC and has a large family that lives on Vancouver Island, lower mainland, Kingcome Inlet and Gilford Island. She is a member of the Kwicksutaineuk First Nation from Gilford Island. Andrea lives in North Vancouver.

Education

UBC, Bachelor of Science in Forestry (Major: Resource Management), 2001

Work Experience

Andrea’s career spans 13 years of experience in the forest industry. In the past, she has worked for large corporations, including Canfor and Western Forest Products. She also lived / worked in multiple Aboriginal communities and oversaw full-phase forestry operations and negotiated capital projects with the federal government. She has provided expert strategic planning and analysis to make technical recommendations for forest resource management decisions.

Affiliations

• Forest Practices Board, Board Member, Victoria, BC
• Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP), Aboriginal Task Force, Vancouver, BC
• UBC Faculty of Forestry, First Nations Council of Advisors (FNCOA), Vancouver, BC
• Sea to Sky Invasive Plant Species Council, Director, Whistler, BC
• Canadian Women in Timber, Member, Vancouver, BC
• Forest Science Board, Sustainability Program Advisory Group, Vancouver, BC
• Forest Science Board, First Nations Advisory Group, Vancouver, BC
• Canadian Institute of Forestry, Member, Vancouver, BC