Boosting Profile and Partnerships at Nk’Mip Forestry

August 14, 2025

A new marketing and communications strategy for Nk’Mip Forestry, one of 13 businesses managed by the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), is turning the company into an economic driver for one of Canada’s most progressive First Nations.

With 584 members, the OIB has become an economic development model for other First Nations by consistently expanding its investments on its approximately 32,000 acres of land in the South Okanagan region of BC. Commercial leasing, tourism, and construction-related services contribute the most to OIB’s bottom line.

Nk’Mip Forestry was created to address the need for sustainable forestry practices in the area while safeguarding OIB’s cultural and environmental values. Income from the business pays the salaries for its employees, provides funding to build homes for band members, and contributes to the community’s social programs.

For several years, Nk’Mip Forestry maintained a strong and successful partnership with Vaagen Fibre Canada to operate its forest licences. With the closure of that company in 2023, Nk’Mip Forestry pursued a marketing and communications strategy to enable the company to promote itself for new business opportunities through a stronger online presence.

The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream to help market and grow the band-owned business. The funding helped Nk’Mip Forestry hire a Southern Interior-based firm that had worked on previous projects with Nk’Mip Forestry, to build its online branding that represented its values, and create a strategic communications strategy to enhance the company’s reputation.

Sustainability – A Call to Action

“We’ve taken a holistic approach to the strategy’s development, with OIB values reflected in how we manage the land,” points out Dan Macmaster, Head of Forestry. The new website for Nk’Mip Forestry provides a platform for communication with stakeholders about what the company is doing to protect local wildlife and water, mitigate wildfire risks, and contribute to the regional economy through job creation and sustainable practices.

The new logo for Nk’Mip Forestry reflects the landscape of Oliver and Osoyoos, with a howling coyote carved out of a mountain symbolizing the company’s commitment to protecting and sustaining the surrounding forests. One of the coyote’s ears is depicted as a feather, a symbol of Indigenous peoples in BC that also shows Nk’Mip Forestry’s respect for traditional wisdom and values.

New Partnerships

In the course of the project, two new OIB-owned joint ventures were created: Siya Forestry, a joint venture between Nk’Mip Forestry and the Infinity-Pacific Stewardship Group Ltd. dedicated to advancing community development in the Okanagan, Kootenay and Boundary regions, and Skemxist Solutions, a joint-venture with The Sutherland Group of Companies that provides services and equipment for all stages of heavy construction.

“Since we completed the project funded by ETSI-BC, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC has provided additional support to help us complete projects and create more partnerships. The message is out to investors: “This is an applicant we can trust,” Macmaster says.

A number of partnerships are in development with companies and organizations including Interfor, Weyerhaeuser, BC Ministry of Forests, BC Hydro and others. In addition, 10 new jobs have been created for OIB members.

The new Communications Strategy created by this project will guide the Nk’Mip Forestry team in planning and implementing communications for the first year; at that point it will continue to build on the foundation based on how the strategy is achieving its goals. “This project would not have been possible without the support of ETSI-BC,” says Macmaster. “The new plan is a living document that builds credibility for First Nations taking the lead in good forest management and it opens new doors to economic opportunities for the region.”

More News & Stories

6-Month AI Certification Program for Economic Developers

August 6, 2025 – AI is transforming how economic developers attract investment, serve their communities, and spark regional growth. Our 6-month AI certification program gives you the confidence to integrate AI tools and strategies into your daily work, even if don’t have a tech background.

Kimberley Chamber Bolsters Supports for Local Businesses

Business Enhancement and Retention (BRE) activities are valuable economic development tools that helps identify and address local business trends and challenges. After years spent transitioning from a mining-based economy to a tourism destination, the Chamber of Commerce in the City of Kimberley recently conducted a BRE survey to guide and support local businesses in this time of exceptional growth and change. Funding for this BRE project was provided by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.

Creston Valley Tourism Plans for Growth

The face of tourism in the Creston Valley is changing significantly, and the Creston Valley Tourism Society (CVTS) is rolling out a new five-year strategic plan, to respond and take advantage of new opportunities. The area’s residents, local governments, First Nations and other tourism stakeholders are aligned in their efforts to build a more diverse and resilient tourism economy, guided by the strategies jointly developed in the plan. The new strategy also helped secure renewed funding for the CVTS through the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT). The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.

Innovative Food Distribution Model for the Kootenay/Boundary Region

In the rural Kootenay and Boundary regions, food distribution challenges include the distances between distribution points, lack of supply chain data, and limited collaboration among food industry stakeholders. The Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society (LCCDTS) worked with other organizations to launch a new innovative model for food distribution to address these issues. This innovative model, the Grow and Connect customized software platform, helps businesses coordinate regional shipping routes. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project at various stages. The project is viewed as an important contributor to innovation in the region’s the agri-food sector.

Youth Mentorship Program Offers Golden Opportunities

The charming mountain town of Golden is rapidly approaching 5,000 residents, but a lack of available workers is challenging the momentum. The Kicking Horse Chamber of Commerce is addressing this issue by helping connect the town’s youth with local businesses to fill current and future vacancies once they graduate from high school. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the Workforce Innovation & Youth Mentorship Program promises to increase local employment, increase wages and help retain employees in the community.

ETSI-BC Releases its Fiscal 2025 Annual Report

July 31, 2025 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce the release of its FY2025 Annual Report for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2025.

Central Kootenays Businesses Achieve Green Business Certification

Central Kootenay businesses are demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability by completing the BC Green Business certification program through Community Futures Central Kootenay (CFCK). The program provides an assessment, recommendations and certification, recognizing the role businesses play in achieving a more resilient economy. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) and has the potential to be replicated through Community Futures office in other parts of the province.

Butcher Hub Network Supports Small-Scale Meat Producers and Processors

After a challenging few years for BC’s 7,000 meat producers and processors, the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association (SSMPA) is pursuing a number of initiatives to build a Butcher Hub Network in the Southern Interior. Important benefits are being realized through improved communication and collaboration between industry stakeholders while the SSMPA provides a strong voice around regulatory issues and helps businesses to scale up. The pilot project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), provides a model for additional hubs in communities across the province.

ETSI-BC Fall 2025 Funding Intake: Up to $1M Available for Projects

June 24, 2025 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce that its next Funding Intake will launch on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 and close on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

ETSI-BC Invests $1 Million in 28 Projects to Boost Southern Interior Economy

June 10, 2025 – Communities across BC’s Southern Interior are gearing up for growth thanks to a new round of funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC). On June 6, 2025, ETSI-BC approved more than $1 million to support 28 projects, representing a combined project value of $2.8 million. These initiatives are set to help diversify the region’s economy and support local innovation.