Jordon Gabriel is an expert in forest management and a community-focused Forestry Technician with Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures Ltd. (LFV). But those are not his only titles; he is a member of Líl̓wat Nation, a residential school Survivor, a father, a grandfather, and a British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) alumnus.
When Jordon started working in forestry, he worked on a team responsible for block and road layouts for forestry companies. “In those days, things were different—the Nation wasn’t consulted,” Jordon says. “We were told we were going to do our work without having a say.” As a result, the forestry work was done in areas where the Líl̓wat Nation gathered herbs, collected mushrooms, and other cultural activities.
In the nineties, a representative from BCIT came to Líl̓wat Nation to promote BCIT’s forestry programs. Jordon, alongside dozens of his peers, passed the prerequisites and enrolled.
“I think there was something like a hundred of us that applied for it right here in the valley,” he says. “We had to write introductory tests in science and math, and the majority of us passed all those tests.”
The two-year program was delivered on-site in the community, enabling Jordon to stay near his family and young children. He earned a Diploma of Technology in Renewable Resources – Basic Forestry, and a Forest Resource Technician Certificate.
Serendipitously, the building where BCIT delivered its program is the LFV office, where Jordon has worked for the Nation since 2011.
After more than 30 years in the industry including 20 years with BC Wildfire, Jordon stays passionate about helping restore important cultural knowledge of forestry management. “These learnings will help us ensure we can always have important foods and cultural plants in the forest for people,” he explains. “We’re leading the way as Líl̓wat Nation.”
Through forestry, Jordon reclaims cultural knowledge
Throughout his career, Jordon has been seeking to blend his technical forestry expertise with the rich cultural knowledge of the Líl̓wat Nation. His research journey began when he started asking the Nation’s Elders about cultural fires and traditional forest management practices. Through these conversations, Jordon came to understand that the Nation was losing resources through a lack of consultation and from the implementation of cultural activities being prevented.
But today, things are changing. LFV, part of Líl̓wat Business Group, is leading that change. As an economic development corporation for Líl̓wat Nation, LFV is committed to building a sustainable economy for the Nation while respecting Lil̓wat7úl culture and values.
“We’ve switched from managing only the trees to managing the whole forest”, he explains.
Strong forests, strong community
Jordon’s meaningful work extends beyond forestry, and he is dedicated to supporting his community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordon and the team at LFV delivered over 900 truckloads of firewood to those in need. “After we get done with our cultural activities, we don’t waste anything. We deliver it to the Elders and people with special needs.”
His dedication to promoting the Líl̓wat Nation culture is reflected throughout his work.
In the future, Jordon’s granddaughter hopes to attend BCIT as he did and take the Forest and Natural Areas Management program to become a Forestry Technologist, just like Jordon.
Learn more about the School of Construction and the Environment
Featured image: Jordon Gabriel, Forestry Technician with LFV (pictured left), Andrea Blaikie, ED of the Speĺkúmtn Community Forest (pictured centre), and Simon Craig, RPF Tenure Manager of Chartwell (pictured right). Photo credits to Simon Bedford Photography