The Tsilhqot’in region of BC was a volatile place for resource companies in the 1990s. The Tsi Del Del First Nation had always felt the need to improve the economic and social conditions in the community and grow in terms of being self-reliant. The Tsi Del Del First Nation envisioned a community that is not only more prosperous but also stronger and self-assured. The band had realized in order to achieve these goals it was up to them to take action and find ways to fulfill these objectives.
It was decided that the creation of a logging company could address many of the Band needs. A logging venture had the potential to create long-term jobs and increase the Bands revenue. Furthermore, timber harvesting is the main industry in the area. The Band then took an inventory of its resources.
Through the vision of some band members and company representatives, what emerged in 1992 was Tsi Del Del Enterprises Ltd, one of the first logging joint-venture in the Interior of British Columbia. The formation of this company was the result of an understanding reached over several years of negotiations between the two parties. It resulted in a true 50/50 company, between Jacobson Brothers Forest Products Ltd. (now Tolko Industries Limited) and the Alexis Creek First Nation known now as Tsi Del Del First Nation.
Tsi Del Del began operations as a conventional logging operation doing contract work. In 1994 Tsi Del Del obtained a 5-year non-replaceable forest license for 60,000 cubic meters per year. With this security in place, the company invested into converting its operation to a fully mechanized roadside operation. When it came time to switch to this system, the company established credit and financed the venture on its own merits. In addition, the company began a forestry crew with John Charleyboy as the leader to undertake the forestry development of the new forest license.
In January 2001, Tsi Del Del obtained a 10-year non-replaceable forest license for 60,000 cubic meters per year. Today they have evolved to become an integrated forest management company. They plan, develop, market, log, haul and conduct silviculture work on their own license and act as a consultant/contractor to other major licensees.
Tsi Del Del Enterprises has grown to a highly mechanized roadside logging show in the British Columbia Interior, using over 30 pieces of logging equipment and up to 35 logging trucks spread over three operations. Two-thirds of the machines are owned by the company while the rest are owner-operators, including some band members.