Find Support from Others 

As you consider the story of Eagle and Changer, here are some ideas to help you form a team and find support.  

Find someone you can talk to about this issue. Select someone you can learn from and brainstorm ideas and solutions. This could be an Elder, a relative, a community leader, a biologist, or someone you know who has experienced similar issues.  

Find out who is involved in the issue. Consider all of the voices, including the quiet voices, the loud voices and the absent voices. Here are some common key players in forestry-related issues:  

Local communities (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) 

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations 

Logging companies (also called “licensees”) 

Forestry workers 

Regional District elected officials 

Other tenure holders in the area such as ranchers, trappers and guide outfitters

Environmental organizations such as Sierra Club BC

The quiet or absent voices might include the beings in the forest, our relatives, our children and our ancestors

Start forming your team. Find like-minded people to help. We may be able to help connect you with others in your community. Have a small gathering or two. Break the ice, talk about what information has been gathered, and consider different perspectives.  

Consider the structure of your group. Do you want to keep your group informal? Is there an existing community organization that can form a sub-committee for this project? Should you register a new society? 

Connect with other communities around the province that are working on similar projects. Here are some examples of local community groups that are working on forestry issues. You can take inspiration from them and connect with them to share ideas.  

Boundary Environmental Alliance: https://www.boundaryalliance.org/ba_002.htm

BC Tapwater Alliance: http://www.bctwa.org/

Glade Watershed Protection Society: https://www.protectgladewatershed.com/