A B.C.-based lumber company is forging ahead with forestry projects with a focus on Indigenous partnership.

The Gorman Group operates mills across the province, including in Canoe, Revelstoke, Lumby and West 琉璃神社, and has always fostered a relationship with each region鈥檚 local Indigenous bands, said communication coordinator Nicole Arkle.

After the devastation of the Bush Creek East wildfire, the company is strengthening its work with Skwl膩x te Secwepemc煤lecw, working on rebuilding projects and prioritizing environmental needs.

While further information on specific projects will be released in coming days, Arkle said the company is passionate about doing the most it can to support decolonization efforts and highlighting the 鈥渕any incredible things鈥� the band and other Indigenous groups are always working on.

鈥淭he forging of this relationship is a feel-good moment for all,鈥� said James Tomma, Skwl膩x te Secwepemc煤l虛ecw Kukpi7 (Chief) in a media release.

鈥淚t brushes aside the stigma of First Nations and the corporate sector. We are hoping others will take notice and similar relationships will evolve like this one.鈥�

Both Arkle and Tomma said the open communication and transparency from both sides is resulting in increased trust and plans for many future projects.

The first step involves the Gorman Group sponsoring helicopter tours for Skwl膩x te Secwepemc煤l虛ecw members to fly over burned areas to see firsthand the damage and begin to cultivate ideas for what needs to be done.

鈥淭hey shouldn鈥檛 have to be unable to see that,鈥� said Arkle. 鈥淢oney shouldn鈥檛 be the problem, barring you from seeing. It鈥檚 a no-brainer for us.鈥�

Read more:

Read more:

for our newsletter to get Salmon Arm and Sicamous stories in your inbox every morning