Flying towards reconciliation: transforming forestry and helping First Nations prosper

By National Forestry Week (Sponsored content)
The Globe and Mail
September 22, 2024
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada

Propelled by the mission of “being a beacon of the call for truth and reconciliation,” an Indigenous-owned and operated company is using drone technology to build community capacity, inspire youth and help transform traditional forest practices. Jacob Taylor, CEO of Orijinative Aerial Innovations Limited, headquartered in Ts’kw’aylaxw, also known as Pavilion, British Columbia, has positioned his company to explore and expand the rapid growth and potential of using drones for a variety of forestry-based applications. From helping to map, monitor and sustainably manage forests for harvesting, planning and protection, to performing search and rescue activities and delivery services, drones have an expanding capacity that could benefit communities in remote regions, says Mr. Taylor, a member of Curve Lake First Nation (Oshkigmong) in Ontario. He notes that many First Nations and Métis communities are located in forests and have relied on the land for food, shelter and medicine for millennia.

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