By Melissa Smalley
A young forestry student from the Canim Lake Band received a national honour last month for his work in the resource sector.
Gregory Daniels was one of two recipients of the Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth, presented by the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers.
The 23-year-old, who is currently pursuing a bachelor of science in Forest Ecology and Management at the University of Northern B.C., tells the 100 Mile House Free Press the honour – and the subsequent trip to Ottawa to receive it last month – all felt "a little bit surreal."
"It has been a bit overwhelming; there has been a huge response from my friends and family from getting the award. I didn't really think too much of it to be honest, but there has been a really good response."
The award recognizes aboriginals aged 18 to 30 who are enrolled in an apprenticeship program, college or university with strong academic standing and a demonstrated commitment to their field of study and a career in the revitalized forest sector, according to a release.
Daniels first began working in the forestry sector as a teenager, when he got a job as a labourer for the company his father had worked at for many years.
The experience piqued an interest in the inner workings of the forestry trade, and when Daniels came across an opportunity to receive funding to study Environmental Resource Technology at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, he jumped at the chance.
Having worked at West Fraser for the past three years, and now pursuing designation as a Registered Professional Forester, Daniels has his sights set high.
"My short-term goal would be to continue working for West Fraser to gain some more experience, but I would eventually like to go back to my band at Canim Lake and be on staff with them as a registered professional forester."
Noting that along with forestry being something he's always enjoyed and found interesting, Daniels says the sector is also vitally important to aboriginal communities in the province.
"I really saw the need for more aboriginals to be involved in natural resources. I haven't seen a whole lot of it."
Daniels also encourages other young aboriginals to pursue whatever post-secondary opportunities they can – pointing to himself as an example of how hard work can pay off.
"Take every opportunity that comes your way; you never really know where that opportunity will lead. I'm hoping younger people can really just become inspired by this award. I never thought I'd be in a position to receive something like this.... I'm hoping others will see this and realize that success is possible."