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The Aboriginal Forestry page on Canadian Forests Website is intended to facilitate Internet users' access specific information on First Nations participation in forestry. It provides a listing of the key opportunities and resources on aboriginal forestry and is not intended to be a source of general information on First Nations.

This page is under development and we welcome your feedback and suggestions to expand our listings.

General

Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources - a national, First Nation-directed environmental non-profit organisation. We were established in 1994 by a group of First Nation Chiefs from across Canada. Through our programs, we take action on climate change, build sustainable communities, protect lands and waters, and conserve biodiversity.

First Nation Information Project - This project is intended to provide a mechanism to share knowledge, interests, and effective practices connecting the Aboriginal community from around this expanse country and the world. Provides a listing of First Nation communities across Canada.

Forest Home Website is a collective effort by members of Canada's forest community to provide tools, news, and information about Aboriginal rights and participation in the forest sector.

Turtle Island Native Network - Internet resources and news, numerous links

National Level - Government, Organizations, and Programs

First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP) provides funding and support to First Nations to participate in the forest sector. The purpose of the web site is to provide participating First Nations and other interested individuals detailed information about the program.

National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA) - promotes and supports increased Aboriginal involvement in forest management and related commercial opportunities, while staying committed to holistic or multiple-use forestry, to build sustainable Aboriginal communities.

Provincial Level - Government, Organizations, Programs, and Companies

British Columbia

Abuntl'at Contracting Ltd is owned and operated by Lenny and Wendy Leon. We are a full phase logging company with over twenty years of operating experience.

British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range: Aboriginal Affairs Branch - We enjoy the valued and trustful relationship with First Nations who successfully contribute to the forest sector and effectively participate in the management of diverse and sustainable forest and range values of BC.

Bull Works is owned and operated by Samual Schooner. The company offers variety of services such as fall and burn, fire suppression, helipad contstruction, brushing and right of way clearing.

Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Directory - Administered by the Fraser Basin Council, this directory showcases Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs in the Cariboo Chilcotin region who provide a broad range of natural resource management services and products including forestry.

Coastal First Nations is an alliance of First Nations on British Columbia’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii.

First Nations Forestry Program in British Columbia (FNFP) - contains the Application and Guidelines for the First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP). The FNFP is a federal government initiative jointly funded by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and by Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service. Through the Program, First Nations can obtain financial and technical assistance in forestry and forest economic development.

First Nations Interim Mountain Pine Beetle Working Group continues its work on program development, implementation and funding security for First Nations communities impacted by the mountain pine beetle. The mountain pine beetle will have severe and lasting effects on the culture and traditions of First Nations people and as such deserve the assistance of strategic planning with regard to the changing face of BC’s pine forests.

First Nations Initiative of the University of British Columbia - Improving partnerships around the forest will greatly benefit both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership is a British Columbia, Canada-based charitable non-share corporation, founded in 1998 to help people develop science and knowledge-based solutions to complex natural resource challenges. It has an aboriginal forestry program.

Haida Heritage and Forest Guardians Program tracks forestry activities on Haida Gwaii through mapping and the review of cutting plan referrals.

Iisaak Forest Resources Ltd. is an innovative First Nations led forest services company operating exclusively within Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. The guiding principles of respect and the interconnectedness of all things provide the foundation for restructuring the economic, ecological and social elements of sustainable resource management in Clayoquot Sound.

Khowutzun Forest Services is owned by the Cowichan Tribes, the largest band in BC, with a population of more than 3,800 community members. The traditional ancestral Cowichan territory is in and around the city of Duncan, B.C. KFS is a full service company providing forest management planning, engineering, silviculture, GIS mapping, and fire suppression services.

Nicola-Similkameen Innovative Forestry Society brings together distinct organizations under one umbrella. Six licensees hold Innovative Forestry Practices Agreements (IFPAs) on the Merritt Timber Supply Area (TSA).

Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Forestry Department assists the member bands with any forestry activities or ventures that they may be pursuing. We also assist in high-level discussions and strategy development with the Ministry of Forests and Industry representatives. It is important to the Forestry Department that the resources in the Secwepemc territory are managed in a sustainable manner and that the Secwepemc people benefit from the resources that are harvested from their territory.

Ontario

First Nations Forestry Program in Ontario - More than 300 projects have been undertaken across Ontario since the beginning of the program. More than 90 different communities and businesses have participated in the program.

Whitefeather Forest Initiative - The Whitefeather Forest is a northern boreal landscape within the traditional territories of Pikangikum First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. The goal of the initiative is to secure commercial forest management tenure, and forestry and protected areas opportunities within the traditional territories of our First Nation.

Quebec

First Nations Forestry Program in Quebec - targets the economic development of Aboriginal forestry by favouring job creation and assisting the First Nations to manage forestry resources as well as to operate businesses in this area while respecting the principles of sustainable development.