PROTECTING FIRST NATIONS LANDS
Who We Are
Great Bear Carbon (GBC) is an Indigenous-owned organization dedicated to protecting the Great Bear Rainforest and promoting environmental stewardship and Reconciliation.
Since 2011, GBC has managed the sales and marketing of carbon offsets from two of the three Great Bear Forest Carbon Projects: The North and Central Coast project and the Haida Gwaii project. These initiatives help preserve forests within Coastal First Nations’ Traditional Territories by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating economic opportunities aligned with Indigenous environmental values.
The South-Central Coast project is managed by the Nanwakolas Carbon Credit Limited Partnership. To learn more about their work, visit the Nanwakolas Carbon Credit Project.
PROTECTING THE FORESTS
Agreements and Frameworks
The foundation of GBC’s work is guided by the 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, which outlines conservation principles and sustainable economic development. Three additional legally binding agreements establish the framework for managing and selling carbon offsets and set out clear guidelines for how funds are allocated to each participating First Nation, ensuring transparency and equity:
01
Atmospheric Benefit Sharing Agreement (2016): Allows Coastal First Nations to use atmospheric benefits for community and economic gains.
02
Carbon Credit Transfer Agreement (2016): Authorizes GBC to market and sell carbon offsets.
03
Great Bear Initiative Society Atmospheric Benefit Sharing Agreement (2016): Ensures that funds from additional carbon offsets support land and marine use projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP & EQUITY
Mission & Values
GBCCC is driven by creating a sustainable future for Indigenous territories and the planet. Our mission is to broker carbon credit sales that promote reconciliation, environmental integrity, and long-term stewardship.
GBCCC operates with transparency, emphasizing the permanence of carbon reduction and respecting the cultural values of the Coastal First Nations.
Get in Touch
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MEET THE PEOPLE OF GBC
Our Team
A shared commitment to environmental stewardship and Reconciliation unites the team behind GBC. Each team member brings a deep understanding of Indigenous land management and carbon markets, working closely with the Coastal First Nations to ensure projects align with cultural and environmental priorities.
Acting General Manager
Paul Kariya
Paul comes from a commercial fishing family, and is no stranger to the North and Central Coasts and Haida Gwaii. During the early part of his career, he spent time in the communities and, more recently, on topics important to Coastal First Nations, such as Reconciliation, climate change, natural resources management, and economic development.
Prior to joining GBC, Paul was the Executive Director of Clean Energy BC. Before that, he was the Executive Director of the Pacific Salmon Foundation and a Professor at Trinity Western University. Paul worked in the public sector both federally and provincially. He was CEO of the provincial crown corporation, Fisheries Renewal BC and Executive Director of the BC Treaty Commission. Paul holds a BA (Hon) from UBC and an MA and PhD from Clark University in Massachusetts.
Paul serves on several community boards, such as the BC Japanese Canadian Legacies Society, is a Trudeau Foundation Mentor, and has represented Canada as a Commissioner on the Pacific Salmon Commission.
Senior Sales and Operations Manager
Dani Warren
Dani joined the GBC team in early 2022 and has since advanced to her current role, overseeing key sales initiatives and operational strategies to support GBC’s goals.
Dani is Cree and a member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation. She brings a diverse project and property management background, having worked with Bosa Properties and 49 North Partners. Her dedication to community service is evident in her five years with the St. Paul’s Hospital security team, where she worked on the frontlines with patrons from the Downtown Eastside, as well as her contributions to the City of Burnaby Warming Centres overnight shelter program.
Outside of her professional life, Dani is a competitive bagpiper with the SFU/RMM pipe band organization and serves as a Director on the British Columbia Pipers Association board, reflecting her passion for music and community involvement.
Sales and Operations Manager
Zoe Heath
Zoe joined the Great Bear Carbon team in July 2024, bringing over 15 years of experience in carbon markets, sustainability, and Indigenous partnerships. Her career highlights include managing multimillion-dollar contracts for nature-based solutions, leading carbon project feasibility studies, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders to align environmental and community goals.
Zoe holds a Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability from Monash University and has worked extensively on Indigenous-led initiatives that drive sustainable economic development. She is passionate about using her expertise to support Coastal First Nations in achieving their environmental and cultural stewardship objectives while advancing Reconciliation through carbon offset programs.
Operations Coordinator
Laura Lau
Laura joined Great Bear Carbon in 2023 and brings 20 years of operational and management experience from the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. Skilled in building systems, processes and procedures, Laura has steered entities undergoing critical transition, headed administrative teams in humanitarian operations and led environmental funding for a corporate foundation.
As Operations Coordinator, Laura is committed to serving Great Bear Carbon and its Shareholder First Nations and supporting a thriving Great Bear Rainforest and the Indigenous communities within it.
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Senior Advisor
David Oxley
David brings years of expertise in carbon offsets and a deep commitment to supporting member nations. After two decades in the social services sector, David joined Coastal First Nations in 2015 as an IT Administrator. In 2016, senior staff approached him to take on a role in the carbon offsets program. Eager for a new challenge, David began coordinating and managing offsets part-time before transitioning into a full-time position as Business Corporations Coordinator with Great Bear Carbon.
In this role, David built the infrastructure that continues to support the management of offsets for CFN’s member nations today. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in fostering strong relationships with member nations and sales partners, ensuring the success of the carbon program.
As Senior Advisor, David now focuses on guiding strategic initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and advancing CFN’s mission. He is passionate about carbon education and remains committed to maximizing funding for First Nations, helping them achieve goals in sustainable economic development, and protecting the Great Bear Rainforest and its ecosystems.
EXPERT GUIDANCE
Our Board
The board’s governance helps maintain the integrity of our initiatives, supporting long-term sustainability and economic empowerment for Coastal First Nations.
Our board consists of Coastal First Nations leaders and those with expertise in environmental sectors, providing oversight and guidance on GBC’s operations. The board ensures that our carbon offset projects align with the goals of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement and support the economic and social goals of Indigenous communities.
Abúk Danielle Shaw
President
Chief Councillor,
Wuikinuxv Nation
Gaagwiis Jason Alsop
Vice President
President, Haida Nation,
Haida Gwaii
Robert Nelson
Secretary Treasuer
Chief Councillor of Metlakatla First Nation
We value partnerships that recognize and respect Indigenous rights and title.
We are committed to sustainably managing ecosystems to ensure their longevity.
We uphold transparency and ethical standards in all our operations.
We take a holistic approach to land and resource management.
We ensure carbon reductions or removals are long-lasting, ideally for 100 years or more.
RESPECT
We maintain reciprocal relationships with all human and non-human relations, respecting Indigenous cultural values and practices.
We are privileged to represent the organization in ways that honour our relationships with the Coastal First Nations.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP & EQUITY
Mission & Values
GBC is driven by creating a sustainable future for Indigenous territories and the planet. Our mission is to broker carbon offset sales that promote Reconciliation, environmental integrity, and long-term stewardship.
GBC operates transparently, emphasizing the permanence of carbon reduction and respecting the cultural values of the Coastal First Nations.