Rob Manuel, a First Nation professional and dual citizen of Canada and Australia, serves as Strategic Advisor with the BC First Nations Forestry Council. He works alongside First Nations to activate the full spectrum of forest-sector opportunities — not only harvesting and processing, but stewardship, wildfire risk reduction, ecosystem services, and cultural values.

With over 25 years of resource-sector experience, including international work in energy, Rob brings a systems perspective to the design and assurance of projects. He is committed to supporting First Nations as full partners in shaping the future of British Columbia’s forest economy — where mass timber, prefabrication, and new approaches to sustainable construction align with community priorities and long-term prosperity.

Rob views forestry not just as an industry, but as a platform for First Nation self-determination, innovation, and intergenerational wealth creation.