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Abstract

The Menominee, and Salish and Kootenai indigenous groups of North America have implemented successful frameworks of uneven-aged forest management which pre-date European contact. Uneven-aged forest management strategies such as the ones practiced by these indigenous groups have been historically limited in North America due to a culture of even-aged forest management focused on short rotations and vast clearcuts. Academic recognition of methods utilized in uneven-aged forest management remains widespread in the Pacific Northwest. Environmental, social, cultural and spiritual acknowledgement of uneven-aged forest management in North America further implies the feasibility of replicating similar methods in British Columbia. With the inception of the New Relationship, a B.C. government – B.C. First Nations resource planning framework, applications of uneven-aged forest management based on the practices of the Menominee, and Salish and Kootenai should be strongly considered for implementation in B.C. forests.