Indigenous Small Business of the Year Recipient

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Wood fibre recovery at the Palmer Project site.

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) is an Indigenous-owned forestry organization representing the communities of Tŝideldel, Tl’etinqox, and Yunesit’in in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia. Established to create long-term economic opportunities while restoring and protecting traditional territories, CCR has become a leading example of Indigenous-led forestry and environmental stewardship in Canada. 

At its core, CCR is guided by a simple but powerful principle: First Nations should play a leading role in managing and caring for the lands that have sustained their communities for generations. Through this approach, CCR is helping to reshape how forestry is conducted by balancing economic development, environmental responsibility, cultural values, and community well-being. 

Today, CCR oversees and delivers large-scale forestry, wildfire risk reduction, forest rehabilitation, fibre recovery, and reforestation projects across the Chilcotin region. The organization works closely with industry partners, governments, and local communities to develop innovative solutions that address some of British Columbia’s most pressing challenges, including wildfire resilience, forest health, climate adaptation, and fibre utilization. 

CCR has earned provincial and national recognition for its leadership in wildfire rehabilitation and fibre recovery. Through initiatives such as the Pressy Lake Pilot Project and the Palmer Lake Project, the organization has demonstrated that fire-killed fibre can be recovered and utilized productively rather than burned, creating economic opportunities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and wildfire risks. These projects have helped challenge long-held assumptions within the forestry sector and have positioned CCR as an innovator in sustainable forest management. 

The impact of CCR extends well beyond the forest. By prioritizing Indigenous employment, local contractors, and community-owned businesses, CCR helps keep economic benefits within the region while building long-term skills, experience, and capacity for future generations. 

CCR’s work is deeply rooted in Indigenous values and traditional ecological knowledge. The organization recognizes that healthy forests contribute to healthy communities and that stewardship is an intergenerational responsibility. This philosophy guides every project, from wildfire mitigation and habitat restoration to cultural plant programs and initiatives that reconnect youth and Elders with the land. Under the leadership of CEO Percy Guichon and its Board of Directors, CCR has become a respected voice in forestry and land stewardship across British Columbia and Canada. The organization regularly shares its experiences and lessons learned with governments, industry leaders, researchers, and Indigenous communities, helping advance collaborative approaches to resource management and reconciliation. 

As climate change continues to transform forest landscapes across Canada, CCR remains focused on creating practical solutions that support communities, strengthen economies, and protect the environment. Through Indigenous leadership, innovation, and collaboration, CCR is helping build healthier forests, more resilient communities, and a stronger future for generations to come.