Cascade NTFP Regional Profile.pdf - First Nations in British ...

Cascades NTFP Profile
forest from the intense beetle logging. The MPB logging was mentioned as a major
concern for Upper Nicola for many understory species, in particular Labrador tea.
Perhaps the most important result from the interviews was the broad consensus that the
land base should be managed for NTFRs. To move from the current situation of minimal
management to active management, major steps will need to be taken. The
overwhelming importance of the NTFRs to First Nations means that there should be
leadership coming from the First Nations in terms of how and where to move forward. In
order to make this transition back to deliberate management for these species it would be
germane to consider a keystone approach in which steps are taken first for the species of
most importance.
Concerning the commercial use of NTFRs, there were mixed opinions. A number of the
interviewees expressed concern about such a use of these plants. Many said that when
Siska Traditions started business that it made them feel very uncomfortable, however, as
time has passed their thoughts have evolved and now believe in the importance of this
type of business as a modern means of continuing ancient traditions. It appears that if
commercial harvesting is done within appropriate confines that don’t impact subsistence
harvesters then its growth may be acceptable, especially when driven by communities
within the area.
In order to more fully understand the effects of timber harvesting, fire and other impacts
on NTFRs, it is critical to build our understanding of the NTFR species. Currently there
are two BC Forest Science Program funded research projects underway, one being led by
the Ministry of Forests and Range Research Branch called the Huckleberry Synthesis
Project and the other being led by Siska Traditions Society called “Measuring Success in
Managing for Saskatoon berries and other NTFPs”. The former project is developing a
synthesis of knowledge on huckleberry management from the literature with the goal of
developing black huckleberry management guidelines. The latter project is a multi-stage
project that involves two experimental cutblocks that will have logging, prescribed fire
and or pruning treatments along with a control, one of this project’s deliverables is
guidelines for Saskatoon berry, Oregon grape, beaked hazelnut and soopalalie. These
projects have overlapping research teams and the guidelines produced will be using a
consistent and accessible format.
Along with the need to understand the impacts on the environment it is also germane to
more fully understand the current and potential benefits of theses species to First Nations
and others. Currently the Heskw’en’scutxe Health Services Society, Siska Traditions and
Tmix w
Research are working out a project that has the goal of promoting health through
the increased use of wild foods in the diet. Many health problems have been linked with
the move from wild foods to processed foods with First Nations. It is believed that a
move back to the use of more traditional foods will promote healthier living (David
Walkem pers. com 2007).
The Nicola-Similkameen Innovative Forestry Society (NSIFS), in conjunction with
T’mixw Research and consultants have developed a predictive mapping system for the