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FNFP @ WFC

From September 21-28, 2003, the international forestry community met in Quйbec City for the XII World Forestry Congress. Over seven days, the Congress unfolded as an open forum in which a variety of discussions focused on individuals, communities and forests under the theme "Forests, Source of Life".

During the Congress, the evening of Wednesday, September 24, 2003, the First Nations Forestry Program and the National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA) hosted Aboriginal Forestry in Canada - Best Practices for an over-capacity crowd of 400 participants. This WFC side event gave congress delegates the opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal forestry practices and experience cultural tradition. A photo album of the Side Event will give you a quick visual tour!

Six speakers offered a variety of perspectives on Aboriginal forestry. Here are brief abstracts of each discussion:

Integrated Resource Management: A Sustainable Managed Forest

Growing Capacity and Value-Added Diversification: An Interim Forestry Operation Plan

A First Nations Strategy for Greater Involvement in the Forest Sector by the Year 2010

Pictou Landing Certified Forest: A Community's Point of Pride

Iisaak Forest Resources Ltd.

Copies of Aboriginal Forestry in Canada - Best Practices Proceedings are available on CD. Send your e-mail requests through the website to info@fnfp.gc.ca.

Presentation Abstracts
Integrated Resource Management: A Sustainable Managed Forest
Steven Ginnish, Forestry Development Officer, Eel Ground First Nation

Eel Ground Forestry located within the Eel Ground First Nation Community has become a model leader of forestry management, which has been accredited for their achievement and excellence through organizations such as FNFP, CIF, NB Conservation council and the Environmental Network of Canada. Eel Ground Forestry Group is responsible for the active management of 6,500 acres of productive forest land, ecological knowledge, medicinal plant protection research, digitization of land mapping and portable sawmill production. Eel Ground Forestry recognizes the importance of continual improvement accredited environmental standards as they move toward a more productive and self-sustaining practice of forest management in the future.

Growing Capacity and Value Added Diversification: An Interim Forestry Operation Plan
George Kemp, President, First Nations Limited Partnership (FNLP)

An interim report outlining the story of First Nation and forestry industry cooperation that has led to the creation of the First Nations Limited Partnership (FNLP). The presentation outlines the vision in the development of territorial lands within the area of the FNLP and the history of the FNLP from 1998 to the present including economic development, capacity building and stewardship initiatives that have been undertaken. The rationale for an interim development project is laid out including a proposed operating plan, corporate governance model and potential next steps and anticipated future benefits.

A First Nations Strategy for Greater Involvement in the Forest Sector by the Year 2010
Gordon Prest, First Nations Coordinator, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia

Until very recent times, BC First Nations have been mainly excluded from meaningful participation within the provincial forest sector. However, with resolution of the aboriginal land question through modern treaties and other forms of agreements, First Nations will be assuming greater ownership over portions of their traditional territories and become much more involved in the forest sector at all levels. Currently, with only 12 RPFs and an estimated 300 forest technologists of aboriginal ancestry, there is an obvious need to increase these numbers to meet the challenges to be faced as we move towards the post-treaty era of the 21st century. It is timely to start developing strategies to form collaborative agreements with various partners to increase First Nations participation in the forest sector. Prest's presentation outlines a collective vision to train, educate and employ the target numbers of First Nations in the forest sector.

Pictou Landing Certified Forest: A Community's Point of Pride
Dan MacDonald, Settlement Administrator, Pictou Landing First Nation

The community of Pictou Landing is a Mi'kmaq First Nations community is located in northeastern Nova Scotia near the towns of New Glasgow and Pictou. In the 1980s members of the Band began to take more interest in their woodlands, making a commitment to manage them a sustainable way, using traditional values when making decisions regarding their woodlands. At the same time, interest in certification through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was growing. After an initial assessment the gap between how the Band was managing the forest resource and FSC criteria was not that great. After modifications and a final assessment, certification was granted in March 2000. At the time it was the only native reserve land in Canada to hold certification. Through settlement of disputes with government and industry, the Band's forested lands continued to expand. A new management plan was completed based on past practices and certification was gained for these new lands as well. MacDonald will summarize the lessons learned from the Pictou Landing experience.

Iisaak Forest Resources Ltd.
Cindy Hazenboom, Communications and Special Projects Forester and Matthew Lucas, Director, Iisaak Forest Resources Ltd.

Iisaak, a joint-venture company led by five First Nations communities (51%) and Weyerhaeuser Company (49%), is charting a new course in the development and application of conservation-based forestry. Iisaak defines conservation-based forestry as practices and operations designed to achieve conservation as a primary management objective. In the language of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, iisaak (pronounced "E-sock") means respect. The company operates on the principle of Hishuk-ish ts'awalk, the Nuu-chah-nulth belief of respecting the limits of what is extracted and the interconnectedness of all things. The guiding principles of respect and interconnectedness provide the foundation for socially equitable, economically viable, ecologically sensitive and culturally relevant resource management on Iisaak's forest lands. The company's innovative approach to resource management has been recognized internationally. Iisaak's market focus is to maximize the value of timber harvested rather than the volume. The company anticipates earning a greater return for its forest products in recognition of their high standards and increased resource protection. In addition, Iisaak expects that minimizing the impact of harvesting timber will provide additional economic opportunities for new markets in botanical forest products, under-valued species, eco-tourism, recreation, carbon and biodiversity.

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There are many logging options other than clearcutting.

Single tree select cutting is accomplished by various logging methods and targets high value trees.The problem is that it is expensive to accomplish but if the value is high enough,it is profitable.

Just because Iisaak is the prime logging contractor does not mean that natives will be doing any or all the work.