Elected to the First Nations Forestry Council in 2008 by the BC Assembly of First Nations, Ta-lall-SHAM-cane siyam Bill Williams has been a member of the community’s Hereditary Council since 1995. Chief Williams has played a leadership role among First Nations by successfully blending business and conservation efforts.

Chief Williams is the President of the First Nations Forestry Council.

Appointed by the First Nations Summit, Harley Chingee is the current Chief of the McLeod Lake Indian Band with over 20 years experience in First Nation administration and business management. Chief Chingee brings a wealth of forest sector policy experience to the First Nations Forestry Council.

Chief Chingee is committed to increasing First Nations access to, and involvement in, the forest sector.

Appointed by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Michael Kelly is a member and former councillor of Leq’a:mel First Nation. Michael retired early, after 35 years, working with the Provincial Government in the BC Ministry of Highways.

Kelly has worked extensively in the Engineering Technical and Inspection component of highway construction, and after leaving the BC Ministry of Highways in 2002, he worked as a machine operator in the public works section at the University Endowment Lands until 2009.

Dan is a registered professional forester for the Nk’Mip First Nations Woodland Licence since it’s inception in 2018. He works closely with the licencee (Osoyoos Indian Band, OIB) to establish and implement the guiding principles and goals that the OIB envisions. This includes ensuring that multiple objectives are addressed across the tenure is a critical component of all planning, and has given Dan the opportunities to connect with other stakeholders throughout the area as well. By recognizing the rights and management concerns of First Nations, local residents, range holders, woodlot licencees, recreational groups, local community groups and environmental societies, as well as local government in general – Dan has connected and collaborated with a wide diversity of interests. This collaboration ensures that planning and activities on the First Nation Woodland Licence tenure runs smoothly and that the Osoyoos Indian Band has the main voice in the way the forests in their traditional territory are managed.

Dan looks forward to being a director on the BC First Nations Forestry Council Board to learn more from other First Nations tenure holders across the province.  “I’m very humbled to be part of this experienced and knowledgeable Forestry Council team, and I look forward to moving our agenda and priorities to the top of the list of changes to forest legislation and policies to increase the role of First Nations as full partners in the BC forest sector.”

Lennard Joe, (Traditional name of Sux^wsx^wwels, meaning Grizzly Man) brings over 30 years of natural resources and business experience into his current roles. He is a Registered Professional Forester and a member of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation. Lennard is actively involved in developing new businesses and opportunities in the resource sector within his territory as well as throughout Canada and the world. Living in balance Lennard carries the corporate knowledge of his nation and continues to practice its protocols and traditions. His role as an Indigenous Professional Forester has opened doors in Indigenous Governance, Provincial and Federal government, Industry, Academia, and Forest Certification.

Sandy Atkinson is from the Snuneymuxw First Nation, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, and is the Director of Operations and Finance for the First Nations Forestry Council. Sandy oversees the day-to-day operations of the Forestry Council, including financial management and compliance, and ensuring the administrative and governance functions are current and progressive. 

Sandy has over 25 years of experience in operational forestry, as well as the administrative and financial management of forestry businesses and joint ventures.

She is passionate about the BC forest sector and utilizing the forests to provide jobs and economic benefits that are sustainable, and not at the expense of protecting our forests for the cultural and spiritual values they possess.

Effective April 1, 2024, Karen Sorensen will be transitioning into a new role as Director of Engagement and Communications of the First Nations Forestry Council. 

Karen has been an invaluable member of our team for four years in the role of Workforce Development Program Manager whereby she consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and a deep commitment to the Forestry Council.

In her capacity as Director of Engagement and Communications, Karen will lead initiatives aimed at developing and executing strategies to effectively engage constituents and communicate the organization's mission, programs, and impact. This position works collaboratively with the CEO, staff, and community partners to advance the Forestry Council’s goals and objectives, building meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders, leveraging various communication channels to drive engagement and support for the Forestry Council, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

Karen’s wealth of experience as a creative director working in public engagement, coupled with her passion for communications and marketing, makes her ideally suited to drive our organization forward in this critical area.

Christiana Jones joined the Forestry Council in June 2022 as the Communications Manager. They bring to the role 10 years of experience in communications, with a focus on government communications and stakeholder engagement. Most recently, Christiana worked for the Regional Parks system, engaging First Nations on strategic planning for land management on Southern Vancouver Island.

As the Communications Manager for the BC First Nations Forestry Council, Christiana oversees all communications initiatives such as campaigns, engagement, and event planning. They also support other program areas in communications needs.

Christiana moved to Vancouver Island in 2019 and has enjoyed spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Margaret was born in London, Ontario and moved to Vancouver Island along with her young son in 1995. She brings to Forestry Council over 20 years experience in all aspects of the accounting cycle in Government, Not-For-Profit, and Private Sector. 

When Margaret isn’t crunching numbers she can be found paddling on the ocean in either a Dragon Boat or an Outrigger Canoe.  She has been slowly visiting some of the nearby islands and a top priority on her bucket list is to eventually visit every island surrounding Vancouver Island. That is one tall order!

Denise was born and raised on Vancouver Island. Her career started out working in veterinary nursing, health care, and as a community support worker but eventually diverged into forestry. Denise worked as a heavy equipment operator in logging and then turned to teaching heavy equipment operation. Her career path includes working with a diverse number of organizations and programs, as well as instructional work in remote BC First Nations communities.

Jordan joined the BC First Nations Forestry Council, in February 2022, as an Administrative Coordinator.  A recent transplant to Vancouver Island, Jordan has lived in Victoria and now Nanaimo.  A graduate from York University with a BSc in Science and Technology Studies, Jordan has had a diverse and highly technical career path.  Before moving to Vancouver Island, Jordan spent years working in the Facebook office in Toronto, helping organize events and public engagement.  

When he isn't working, he is enjoying life on Vancouver Island, hiking the forests and hills with his two dogs, Bear and Light.

Isa White joined the Forestry Council in May 2022 as the Workforce Program Assistant. Most recently, Isa worked in admin for Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services, providing services that promote safe children and healthy families where children’s right to live with dignity is protected.

As the Workforce Program Assistant for the Forestry Council, Isa helps with administrative support related to ongoing Workforce projects.

In her free time, Isa loves to act. She appears on an Aboriginal People’s Television Network program, “Coyote’s Crazy Smart Science Show” teaching youth how to combine both Western and Indigenous science in today’s world.

Maïa Mercure joined the Forestry Council's workforce development team in January 2023. She is a certified HR professional specializing in Talent Management and HR digitization. Maïa will be guiding students through their career exploration journey and helping them chart their potential career trajectories in the forestry industry. Prior to joining the Forestry Council, she spent 5 years working as an HR Advisor and Business Analyst in engineering consulting firms. She is a strategic thinker that loves to help people and organizations reach their optimal potential. She most recently worked at a clean energy company that helped Indigenous communities build their own capacity and reduce carbon emissions by transitioning to geothermal, solar and hydropower technologies. Maïa is originally from Guelph, Ontario, and moved to BC to be closer to nature. She currently lives in Nanaimo, where she feels fortunate to be surrounded by majestic forests, awe-inspiring mountain landscapes and the glistening Salish Sea. In her spare time, Maïa enjoys exploring local hiking trails, paddleboarding, yoga and learning new culinary skills.

Tiffany joined the Forestry Council in 2023 as the Policy Program Manager. She brings over 12 years of experience in public policy development and engagement and has worked on a range of provincial government initiatives and strategies in the areas of international relations, immigration, employment and tourism. In her most recent role prior to FNFC, Tiffany led key initiatives supporting Indigenous tourism throughout the province including the development and delivery of the Capacity Building and Resilience Fund and the Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative.

As Policy Programs Manager for the BC First Nations Forestry Council, Tiffany leads the policy, research and legislative analysis work and liaises with government, First Nations, First Nations partner organizations, and industry, on key issues related to forest policy and legislation.  

Tiffany grew up on Vancouver Island and after spending years away for study, travel and work, she was happy to return in 2019 to raise her family.  In her spare time, she can be found at the soccer field, in the forest on a mountain bike, or at the beach.