Les is a Lheidli T’enneh Elder who resides on the Shelley Southside reserve and brings decades of experience and dedication to land stewardship, cultural preservation, and community service. He worked in the sawmill industry in Vanderhoof for 35 years, retiring as a saw filer in 2021.

Over the years, Les has developed a deep passion for land guardianship, traditional ecological knowledge, conservation, culture, sustainable development, outdoor recreation, and land-based economic opportunities.

An active volunteer within the Lheidli T’enneh community, Les has participated in numerous initiatives focused on environmental protection and wildlife conservation. He has worked alongside BC Wildlife Biologists in caribou and moose counts, contributed to the Caribou Recovery Strategy, and played a role in both the Lheidli T’enneh Socio-Economic Study and the Traditional Land Use Study.

His commitment also extends to his involvement with the Lheidli T’enneh Lands Department, where he contributed to the start of an Environmental Management Plan and helped identify wildfire risk on Lheidli Reserve Lands.

As an Elder and Land Guardian, Les is deeply committed to the protection and preservation of Lheidli T’enneh territory, culture, and traditions. He actively shares his knowledge and cultural practices through workshops on foraging, traditional medicine making, food preservation, and hide and salmon tanning.

These workshops are delivered in collaboration with the Saik’uz First Nation, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, the College of New Caledonia, and School District 57. Les is passionate about both learning and teaching, and his contributions continue to inspire and support the well-being of his community and future generations.