Raymond W. Low
First Nations Relations
WILLIAMS LAKE,BC
24
Years of experience
Forestry and Indigenous relations professional with experience in consultation coordination, land-use advisement, and regulatory compliance across resource and non-resource projects. Supports First Nations engagement, prepares consultation packages and reports, and advises leadership on partnership approaches, planning decisions, and documentation through electronic consultation systems.
Work History
4 Years 2 Months
08.2022 - Current
4 Years 2 Months
Advisor
First Nations Relations
08.2022 - Current
- Provided strategic advice to leadership on First Nations relations, enhancing partnership opportunities.
- Facilitated coordination of consultation meetings between First Nations communities and internal teams to enhance collaboration.
- Composed correspondence, briefings, and reports tailored to First Nations relations language for effective communication.
- Processed consultation packages with Lands agents and Proponent clients for review by affected FN communities through electronic portals; liaised with Lands agents and FN community resource staff to provide advisement on resource and land use projects; facilitated support for various non-forest land-use objectives; tracked and monitored consultations with affected communities. Collaborated across 3 districts with Lands Specialists to ensure compliance with legal obligations for consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities. Tracked and generated reports through First Nations Consultation System on land use applications, ensuring accurate documentation and transparency in the consultation process.
9 Months
11.2021 - 08.2022
9 Months
Indigenous Relations Liaison
BC Timber Sales Cariboo-Chilcotin Business Area
11.2021 - 08.2022
- Liaised with First Nations, contractors, and government contacts to facilitate reviews of Timber Sales Licenses.
- Coordinated stakeholder communication for BC Timber Sales Cariboo-Chilcotin Business Area to ensure alignment and transparency.
- Processed consultation packages collaboratively with Practices and Planning Forestry Teams for First Nations community review via electronic portals.
1 Year
01.2019 - 01.2020
1 Year
Minor Tenures Forester
Quesnel Natural Resource District | Quesnel, BC
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Mapped cutblocks, road networks, and riparian zones to support effective forest management and conservation efforts.
- Coordinated with logging contractors and First Nations representatives to facilitate collaborative planning and execution of forestry operations.
- Prepared silviculture and reforestation recommendations for site plans.
- Reviewed timber tenure applications to ensure compliance with district regulations and sustainability practices.
4 Years 2 Months
01.2015 - 03.2019
4 Years 2 Months
Digital Marketing Specialist
T.L.C. Sewing Machinery & Repairs | N. Okanagan, BC
01.2015 - 03.2019
- Coordinated online promotions for T.L.C. Sewing Machinery & Repairs services.
- Managed social media content for sewing machinery and repair services.
- Updated website pages with service details, product listings, and repair information.
- Responded to customer inquiries about sewing machines, parts, and repairs.
4 Months
01.2014 - 05.2014
4 Months
Forest Management Consultant
Self-Employed Consultant | Southampton, ON
01.2014 - 05.2014
- Advised Chief and Council on self-governance, administration, and community forest planning platforms, namely a Sustainable Forest Management Plan on their traditional territory
- Facilitated open-mic townhall meetings with Elders, community members, and Band staff to gather feedback and document community desires for forest management.
- Developed strategic recommendations for Band leadership, land use and natural resource departments, and proposed pragmatic community forest (CF) programs.
- Reviewed initial CF budgets and summarized town-hall session reports, establishing procedures for Saugeen First Nation CF programs.
2 Years
01.2012 - 01.2014
2 Years
Planning Forester/Indigenous Engagement Lead
Millar Western Forest Products | Whitecourt, AB
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Planned forest operations under approved Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP) to support Mills' fiber supply for pulp and wood products
- Coordinated harvesting schedules with logging contractors, energy landowners, and internal forestry operations teams to ensure timely operations
- Prepared harvest and reforestation plans aligned with company-specific Harvesting & Operating Ground Rules (OGRs)
- Conducted timber recces and ground-truthing inventory to assess forest resources across Forest Management Agreement (FMA) management units
2 Years
01.2010 - 01.2012
2 Years
Peace Officer
Edmonton Police Service | Edmonton, AB
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Patrolled city of Edmonton streets and pre-identified public roads to monitor and enforce speed regulations using speed-activated radar sensors
- Enforced municipal bylaws and provincial legislation during daily operations
- Prepared incident reports and detailed enforcement documentation to support law enforcement efforts during interactions with the public
- Attended traffic court sessions to present prepared speeding offense evidence and provide testimony on findings.
2 Years
01.2007 - 01.2009
2 Years
Area Operations Supervisor
Tembec Industries Ltd | Chetwynd, BC
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Coordinated safety procedures aligning with Tembec Industries Ltd standards and site rules to ensure compliance.
- Performed ongoing outfield on-site harvesting inspections to maintain workplace safety compliance and strengthen safe working practices.
- Delegated daily work tasks to operators, loaders, and support staff.
- Monitored equipment checks and reported maintenance issues to enhance operational readiness.
- Recorded incident details and maintained updated operational logs for management review.
1 Year 2 Months
01.2006 - 03.2007
1 Year 2 Months
Silviculture Forester/Indigenous Engagement
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources | Timmins District
01.2006 - 03.2007
- Prepared forest management plans for Crown lands, ensuring compliance with Ontario's Crown Forest Sustainability Act and regulations to promote sustainable forest practices.
- Conducted forest regeneration surveys and stand assessments, utilizing field tools and updated maps from forest license holders to enhance forest health and regeneration efforts.
- Reviewed road access and silviculture growth performance records to ensure accurate updates to ministry files and support effective forest management.
- Supported stakeholder discussions with landowners, contractors, and upheld consultation obligations with local Indigenous communities
1 Year
01.2003 - 01.2004
1 Year
Approvals Planning Forester
Alberta Agriculture & Forestry | Edson, AB
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Assessed timber quality in planned harvesting areas, facilitating Compartment Design approvals across Forest Management Unit (FMU) locations.
- Reviewed forest operating plans from operators, ensuring alignment with internal land use and management team objectives.
- Prepared comprehensive reports on forest management plans, providing feedback on compliance with Operating Ground Rules and legislation.
Education
Registered Professional Forester - Forest Business Management
Forest Professionals BC | 01-2019
Renewal eligibility Nov 30, 2026
B. Sc. - Forest Business Management
University of Alberta | Edmonton, AB | 01-2001
B. Sc. - Agriculture
University of Alberta | Edmonton, AB | 01-1994
Skills
First Nations consultation
First Nations knowledge
Regulatory compliance
Stakeholder engagement
Operational planning
Forest Operations
Forestry planning
Capacity building
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS:
- Minor Tenures Forester (May 2019 to May 2020), BC Ministry of Forests (Quesnel, BC) Principal lead for processing forestry applications under Sec 47.6 of Forest Act. Supported the Land & Resources business unit objectives via stakeholder referrals & FN community engagement; Submitted Briefing Notes to Decision Maker supporting Indigenous-led fire-smart projects/initiatives.
- Project Management, Sustainable Forest Management Planning (SFMP) Contract Saugeen First Nation #29, Saugeen Ontario. Hired & awarded initial preliminary planning contract with Saugeen First Nation #29 in the development of budgets & Memorandum of Understanding with Ontario government for the development of an Indigenous-led SFMP with support & guidance from Saugeen Elders & Knowledge Keepers in identifying and mapping areas for afforestation & reintroduction of culturally significant herbal/medicinal/culturally important plant communities.
- Project Management Lead, Watershed Restoration Bowron Forest, Prince George (2000-2002). Lead Project Forester in the development of road deactivation plans; crew supervision performing riparian ecosystem rehabilitation & restoration of the Bowron Forest
- Policy Analysis & Development for Reforestation Policies in Northern Ontario Forest Regions (2006 2007). Assisted in the development of an integrated reforestation & information management system to support reforestation planning process that serves to provide Northeast Region with guidance on compiling forest inventory, stocking & reforestation reporting; introduced concepts of Reporting Silviculture Updates and Land status Tracking System and ARIS (Alberta Reforestation Information System) from BC and Alberta as templates for establishing e-tracking systems to support Ontario's NE Regional Reforestation reporting system.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES:
- Aboriginal Law, Strength of Claim 101,102 Ministry of Attorney-General
- Strength of Claim Assessments (Local) Harry Jennings, P.Ag.
- Elements of Indigenous Relations Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario
- The Yahay Decision (BC Supreme Court) ABCFP 2021 AGM Seminar
- Building Capacity in Indigenous Relations: We are all here to stay BC Government
- Indigenous & Canadian Histories 101 House of Indigenous Learning (HoIL)
- FM120: BC Government Planning Fundamentals MyLearning Portal
- IM117 Information Management: Access, Information Security, Privacy Standards ~ MyLearning Portal
- Diversity & Inclusivity Essentials MyLearning Portal
- ArcGIS 10.6.1 Intermediate ArcMapping Quesnel NRD GIS Department
- ArcGIS PRO Intermediate Spatial Analysis Cariboo Regional Operations
- Professional Forestry Academic Development University of Northern BC (1997-1998)
Timeline
Advisor
First Nations Relations
08.2022 - CurrentRead more
Indigenous Relations Liaison
BC Timber Sales Cariboo-Chilcotin Business Area
11.2021 - 08.2022Read more
Minor Tenures Forester
Quesnel Natural Resource District
01.2019 - 01.2020Read more
Digital Marketing Specialist
T.L.C. Sewing Machinery & Repairs
01.2015 - 03.2019Read more
Forest Management Consultant
Self-Employed Consultant
01.2014 - 05.2014Read more
Planning Forester/Indigenous Engagement Lead
Millar Western Forest Products
01.2012 - 01.2014Read more
Peace Officer
Edmonton Police Service
01.2010 - 01.2012Read more
Area Operations Supervisor
Tembec Industries Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2009Read more
Silviculture Forester/Indigenous Engagement
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
01.2006 - 03.2007Read more
Approvals Planning Forester
Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
01.2003 - 01.2004Read more
Forest Professionals BC - Registered Professional Forester, Forest Business Management
Read more
University of Alberta - B. Sc., Forest Business Management
Read more
University of Alberta - B. Sc., Agriculture
Read more
Work Preference
Desired Job Title
Indigenous Relations SpecialistForestry ManagerSessional InstructorOperations ManagerOperations Specialist
Work Type
Full TimeConsulting
Location Preference
On-SiteHybrid
Location:
WILLIAMS LAKE, BC, CanadaHinton, ABEdson, ABSundre, ABVernon, BC
Open to relocation:
Yes