Tenure Tool Kit
About the First Nations Tenure Toolkit
The BC First Nations Forestry Council developed the Forest Tenure Acquisition Toolkit to support First Nation governments and forestry businesses. This toolkit is a brief, accessible introduction to forest tenure and provides pathways for Nations to become more involved in the forest industry by acquiring tenure from the Ministry of Forests.
Holding a forest tenure is key to securing a stable timber supply and increasing First Nations’ role in forestry. It also creates opportunities to reflect community values in managing water, wildlife, forest health, medicinal plants, wildfire risk reduction, recreation, and cultural features. Tenure holders can make critical decisions about profitability, sustainability, forestry roads, own-source revenues, and long-term forest health across their territories.
For tens of thousands of years, First Nations have maintained deep, place-based relationships with the land. Through decades of rights-based court wins, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) was passed in 2019, requiring BC laws—including forest practices—to align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
This establishes a foundation for recognizing and implementing the land-use goals of First Nations. With these tools and legislation in place, modern agreements can be built to foster First Nations’ prosperity—grounded in community, culture, governance, and the rightful role of Nations in resource use decision-making.
What is a Forest Tenure?
A forest tenure is an agreement with the Province that grants the right to harvest Crown timber in BC. Over 90% of BC’s forests are on Crown land, so most harvesting happens through this system.
Holding a tenure does not mean owning the land. Instead, it sets out responsibilities, rights, and conditions for how forests are managed and harvested.
While mostly outside the scope of this document, the remaining 10% of forestland is on private lands, Treaty Lands, and Indian Reserve lands, which are subject to different laws regarding timber harvesting.
Forest tenures can be:
- Non-replaceable or replaceable,
- Area-based or volume-based,
- or tied to private, Treaty, or Reserve lands (which follow their own laws).
Most First Nations looking to participate in forestry will work with the Ministry of Forests to acquire and manage a forest licence. To learn more about the types of tenures, review this Province of BC brochure.
How Do We Get One?
Every Nation’s journey to acquire tenure is unique. Tenure comes with important responsibilities, costs, and commitments—but also with opportunities to strengthen your role in forest management.
We want to support you in making the best decision for your Nation. There are many First Nations who have travelled this road before you. You are not alone in this process.
We hope you connect with us and with other First Nations to learn, share, and grow together.
This toolkit will guide you through:
- The key steps to acquiring tenure
- The questions to ask along the way
- The resources available to support your Nation
Together, we can learn, share, and build capacity for stronger First Nations participation in BC’s forest sector.
Forest Governance Team
The Forestry Council’s policy team is a strong, diverse group of individuals with a wide range of knowledge, experience and skills that can offer forestry-related advice, guidance and support to First Nations. The team is made up of a Policy Programs Manager, Policy Coordinators and an expert group of First Nation forestry Strategic Advisors.
The Tenure Toolkit includes a series of learning modules designed to give First Nations a strong foundation in understanding, acquiring, and managing forest tenure in British Columbia.
The BC First Nations Forestry Council offers in-person and virtual training to support your community. Reach out today to learn more and start planning with us.