Businesses
GECO Companies
Gitxaała Enterprises has a number of businesses that our nation owns, manages and operates. These include the following:
Gitxaała Environmental
Leading the way in environmental and marine science in British Columbia’s Northwest Coast Region.
Who We Are
Gitxaała Environmental Services is wholly owned by Gitxaała Nation, whose traditional territory is situated on British Columbia’s north coast. The company was established in 2021 and its vision is to be the leading environmental and marine sciences consulting service provider in the northwest coast region of British Columbia. We are committed to the ongoing development of a highly trained and responsive local team based in Prince Rupert to service client demands in all natural resource sectors and levels of government.
Our aim is to enhance the capacity of the Nation and its members through participation in project development and operations in the northwest while improving the sustainability outcomes for our clients and the communities we work within.
Meet the Team
Jesse Anaka, M.Sc., EP – Technical Services Director / Senior Biologist
Over the past two decades, Jesse has evolved from a technical biologist to an industry leader, providing clients with technical and regulatory advice to meet the challenges of complex and dynamic permitting projects. His knowledge and depth of experience in both aquatic and terrestrial biology has allowed his skill set to evolve over the years into effects assessments and management planning, environmental impact assessments, and Species at Risk Permitting. He has carried out and led environmental assessments and permitting for major LNG, mining, and renewable energy projects across Western Canada.
Todd Sherstone, B.Sc., P.Biol., R.P.Bio. – Operations Manager
Todd has worked as a biologist and manager in British Columbia for almost 20 years. Todd has worked extensively with industry, First Nations, and various government agencies on environmental assessments and monitoring programs for a variety of major projects. He has experience in aquatic and terrestrial environmental assessments for renewable energy (small and large hydroelectric, and wind), as well as other linear and marine resource development (oil and gas pipeline, transmission line) projects throughout various regions of BC, AB, and NT.
Todd has planned, implemented and monitored numerous environmental assessments and offsetting for resource development projects. He has experience in study design, data collection, analysis, and formal reporting for inventory, habitat assessments, and habitat evaluation and mitigation. Todd has worked closely with a variety of clients and stakeholders developing and implementing field study programs in accordance with federal and provincial guidelines. As the Operations Manager, Todd is responsible for building team capacity and standards of practice to meet client, regulatory, and community expectations on a wide range of environmental assessment and monitoring, remediation, and reclamation projects.
Steven Rogers, M.Sc. – Natural Resource Specialist/Project Biologist
Steven holds a BSc in Marine Biology and an M.Sc. in Integrative Biology. His experience includes project coordination, environmental monitoring and assessments in both freshwater and marine environments, fisheries research, Species at Risk reviews, regulatory compliance, GIS, and sustainable resource management. His strengths in the field include monitoring compliance with Construction Environmental Management Plans, carrying out eDNA sampling techniques, vegetation salvage, marine mammal observation, hydroacoustic monitoring, and water quality.
Noel Richard – Asset Manager & Vessel Lead
Born in the Skeena Valley in Terrace B.C. Noel Richard brings a deep-rooted passion for the marine environment to his role. His career began as a tidal water sport fishing guide, where he spent years honing his skills throughout the central and north coast of British Columbia. Today, Noel is known for his calm, professional demeanor, and unmatched expertise in vessel operations.
He holds multiple marine certifications including SVOP, MED A3, Marine Advanced First Aid, and ROC-M, along with a Class 1 Driver’s License. In addition, Noel is both PADI and AIDA certified in scuba and freediving, underscoring his commitment to safety and exploration above and below the surface.
Whether managing assets or leading operations on the water, Noel brings precision, reliability, and a genuine love for the outdoors to everything he does.
Hewescraft Sea Runner 210 Hard Top
The GES Hewescraft Sea Runner 210 is a 21-foot-long aluminum work horse with an Alaskan bulkhead and heated cabin. A quality-built boat with seating for up to four people. It has been customized to perform a variety of marine construction services. We have the ability to perform work duties both day and night thanks to the array of state-of-the-art technology installed onboard: RADIO, RADAR, CHARTS, LIGHTING, SPOTLIGHTS, FLIR infrared camera allows us to scan the waterways for mammals and vessels alike.
The Hewescraft Sea Runner 210 is the perfect balance of size, performance, and dependability. Compact yet rugged enough for open ocean waters, the Sea Runner’s, deep-V hull delivers a smooth, stable ride in a wide range of conditions. Safety and performance come first. Every detail has been tested, refined, and built with real feedback from real boaters. The Sea Runner isn’t just built tough, this is the versatile, reliable platform that gets the job done.
OceanSled Explorer- Unscrewed Surface Vessel (USV)
The newest member of the fleet! OceanSled Explorer Revolutionizing Coastal Operations with Uncrewed Technology. Meet the OceanSled Explorer, the latest advancement in Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) technology, crafted to tackle a variety of coastal challenges. This next-generation vessel is designed to streamline maritime operations with enhanced autonomy, minimizing the need for crewed missions in high-risk coastal zones.
Equipped with cutting-edge sensor technologies and real-time data integration, the Explorer boosts situational awareness and provides accurate, real-time insights for tasks such as environmental monitoring, port security, and fisheries enforcement. Whether it is safeguarding critical infrastructure or monitoring marine ecosystems, the OceanSled® Explorer is engineered to enhance operational efficiency while reducing human risk.
This versatile platform allows for remote mission execution in demanding environments, ensuring high levels of safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness across a variety of maritime domains.
What We Do
Environmental Assessment, Management & Permitting:
- Regulatory applications and permits
- Environmental management planning and monitoring
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Fisheries Act authorizations and Disposal at Sea permitting
- Habitat assessments, inventory, and monitoring for wildlife and aquatic species (freshwater and marine)
- Marine mammal and bird surveys
- Sediment and erosion control
- Spill response planning and training
Contaminated Site Assessment & Remediation:
- Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments
- Environmental, ecological, and human health risk assessment
- Bioremediation design and operation
- Site remediation design, costing, and execution
- Waste discharge authorizations and permits
- Audits and liability assessments
Reclamation & Habitat Restoration:
- Reclamation and revegetation planning, implementation, and monitoring
- Wetland and marine habitat assessments, offsetting, and monitoring
- Vegetation management and noxious weed control
- Mine reclamation and closure planning
Forestry:
- Timber development including cutting permit application and site plans
- Access road reconnaissance, design, permitting, construction, and deactivation
- Forest health, species at risk, and visual impact assessments
- Forestry stewardship planning and landscape reserve design
- Riparian assessments and stream classification
Geomatics:
- Web, GIS, and CAD mapping
- Spatial analysis and 2D/3D data capture modelling and analysis
- Slope profile capture and analysis
- Third party data acquisition, management, and analysis
Capacity Building & Community Engagement:
- Client support for training and auditing of on-site staff for environmental operations and compliance
- Design, support, and delivery of First Nations and community engagement
- Curriculum development and delivery for environmental sampling, monitoring, and management
Contact
Todd Sherstone | Operations Manager
Gitxaała Forestry
We are committed to creating sustainable employment and community advancement through environmentally responsible harvesting.
Who We Are
GITXAAŁA FORESTRY is a forest licensee operating three forest licenses in the Great Bear Rainforest Timber Supply Area. With over 150,000 cubic metres of allowable annual cut, we are well situated to serve the needs to the global wood products industry.
What We Do
Civil Construction:
- Road Construction
- Lease Construction
- Bridge Installation
Forestry Management:
- Full Phase Timber Harvesting and Delivery
- Forest License Management
- Environmental Management
Contract Management:
- Quality Control
- Cost Estimates
- Contract Scheduling
Notice of Forest Operations Map
Learn more about the proposed blocks in the Forest Operations Map (FOM).
The FOM shows the approximate location of proposed cutblock(s) and/or road(s) as they are planned to be submitted in future cutting permit and/or road permit application(s) during the three years that the FOM is valid.
Press Release
Tyee Building Supplies LP
TYEE BUILDING SUPPLIES IS COMMITTED TO GROWING WITH PRINCE RUPERT AND THE NORTH COAST AS IT MOVED INTO THE FUTURE.
Who We Are
Tyee Building Supplies LP. is locally owned by the Gitxaała Nation and operates the Rona home building centre. It is located in Cow Bay, in Prince Rupert providing building supplies and other services to communities along BC’s North and Central Coast.
Tyee Building Supplies staff’s ability to work together as a team and continuously learn and improve is directly related to the store’s success. It’s the people that make a business a success, and Tyee is very fortunate to have a professional staff, with a solid mix of retail and contractor backgrounds that provide a very knowledgeable and diversified team.
What We Do
Contact
Sharon Rothwell | General Manager
Saltwater Bakery and Provisions
SALTWATER BAKERY + PROVISIONS IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE COW BAY TOURISM AREA OF PRINCE RUPERT. WE OFFER A WIDE ARRAY OF NATURAL HEARTH BAKED BREADS, SIGNATURE PIES, AND PASTRIES.
Who We Are
In the heart of Prince Rupert’s vibrant Cow Bay, Saltwater Bakery + Provisions is where fresh-baked tradition meets coastal creativity. From crusty hearth-baked breads to buttery croissants, indulgent pastries, and signature desserts, everything we make is crafted with care, quality ingredients, and a dash of North Coast spirit.
Our open-concept bakeshop invites you to linger — breathe in the warm aroma of fresh loaves, watch our bakers at work, and discover the difference of handmade. Alongside our breads and pastries, you’ll find homemade ice cream and a curated selection of local products from across Northern BC.
At the helm is Head Baker & Bakery Manager, Alaina — a passionate culinary artist with over a decade of experience in baking and pastry. A proud graduate of Virginia Western Community College’s Culinary Arts program and winner of the People’s Choice Award in a competitive baking event, Alaina brings creativity, precision, and heart to every recipe. Now proud to call Prince Rupert home, she loves incorporating seasonal flavours and local ingredients into both timeless classics and exciting new creations.
Supporting Alaina in the kitchen are Assistant Bakers, Tatiana and Sophie, whose talent and dedication help bring our baked goods to life every day. From mixing doughs and crafting pastries to ensuring every loaf meets our high standards, their work is an essential part of what makes Saltwater Bakery a community favourite.
Whether you’re picking up your daily bread, treating yourself to a decadent dessert, or discovering something new from our shelves, Saltwater Bakery + Provisions is here to make every visit a little sweeter.
“The name, Saltwater Bakery, is connected not only to the ingredients that will be used in the bread but also reflects the strong bond that the Gitxaała Nation has to the ocean. Gitxaała Nation, is also known as ‘Git Lax Moon’ which translates to ‘People of the Saltwater’. We are very thrilled to have the Saltwater Bakery +Provisions opening in Cowbay and feel that it will be complimentary to the businesses in the area, we are very excited to offer an array of baked goods and homemade ice-creams.”
– Michael Uehara, CEO Gitxaała Enterprises Corporation
Contact
The Crest Hotel
The Crest Hotel is locally owned by Gitxaała Nation, through Gitxaała Enterprises Corporation.
Who We Are
For over 60 years The Crest Hotel has been a leader in the hospitality industry, offering a level of service like no other and continues to offer the same level of service today. The Crest Hotel is in the Heart of Prince Rupert overlooking the beautiful harbour.
What We Offer
Hotel:
- Four-star Canada Select property rating.
- 108 guest rooms with mountain and harbour view options
- Hot tub
- Guest Gym
Dining Options:
- Waterfront Restaurant
- Charley’s Lounge
- The Crest Café
Quotes
Contact
Christopher Colussi | General Manager
