Forestry across management and knowledge systems

1. Introduction Recent years have seen a multitude of new initiatives involving Aboriginal peoples in the management and development of Canada’s forests. We are seeing new opportunities for collaboration between Aboriginal Nations, the forest industry, federal and provincial governments and other groups. Often, each project is adapted to its specific situation and the interests of those who are participating. There are, of courses, successes and failures, whether for one party or another. Forestry across management and knowledge systems Reviewing Canadian experiences in harmonizing Aboriginal and industry interests Stephen Wyatt1, Jean-François Fortier2, Solange Nadeau3, David Natcher4, Ron Trosper5, Peggy Smith6, Luc Bouthillier7, Martin Hébert7, 1 Faculté de foresterie, UMCE, 4165 boulevard Hébert, Edmundston (N.-B.), swyatt@umce.ca 2 Laurentien Forest Centre, 1055 du P.E.P.S., C.P. 10380, Québec (QC), Canada G1V 4C7 3Atalnatic Forestry Centre, Fredericton (N.-B.), 4University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon (SK) 5University of British Columbia, Vancouver (C.-B.), 6Lakehead University, Thunder Bay (ON), 7Université Laval, Québec (QC) • Project objectives • This project seeks to synthesise the state of knowledge concerning ways to harmonize Aboriginal and forest industry interests in Canada, as well as experiences with mapping and studies of Aboriginal use, occupation and knowledge of forestlands. A review of the various studies, research and projects across Canada should allow us to identify best practices to assist people on the ground to develop and implement their own collaborative mechanisms for sustainable management of forestlands. • With such a diversity, how can we recognise the key factors which contribute to successfully harmonizing Aboriginal and industrial interests. • What helps or harms collaboration ? • What is “harmonization”, what is “consultation” ? • Which is better - co-management, tenure or a joint venture ? • How do we judge the success or failure of a project ? I’m even more confused now... • Specifically, we will : • Establish a databank of case studies and existing research. • Identify links between different approaches to collaboration and develop a common framework. • Validate this framework with experts from Aboriginal Nations, industry and government. • Describe the lessons learned and propose appropriate policy options. Co-management Partnerships Harmonization Traditionalknowledge Tenure MoUs Consultation Results et outputs State of Knowledge report Collaboration and harmonization A State of knowledge report on collaboration and harmonization will present a synthesis of Canadian experiences organised around a number of key themes that are common to a number of cases. We hope to identify an analytical framework that will show the links between these themes and potential ways of supporting collaboration, as well as the barriers that exist. The report will also consider possible contributions for all groups, propose policy options and identify future research needs. A meta-synthesis This research uses an approach called the meta-synthesis. This method enables us to compare and analyse a range of different qualitative case studies by integrating and re-interpreting the results, concepts and models (Finfgeld, 2003). We collect existing studies and documents, take a sample of these using a set of criteria, and develop a framework which covers the variety of different concepts and conclusions from the existing work (Bondas & Hall, 2007 ; Padgee et al. 2006 ; Beierle & Cayford, 2002). It is a research method that is appropriate for reviewing knowledge about harmonization and collaboration processes for Aboriginal peoples involved in forest management in Canada. The meta-synthesis allows us to use information from different sources: State of Knowledge report Landuse and occupancy studies Over the years, numerous landuse and occupancy studies have been carried out across Canada. However, the results have not always met expectations of the groups involved. This report will examine both success stories and problem cases in order to identify best practices for collecting, mapping and using traditional knowledge, as well as the traps to avoid. We also hope to better understand the links between such studies and other approaches to collaboration and harmonization. This report will also propose policy options and identify ides for future research. Success or failure ? What makes the difference ? Although we do not yet know all the factors that can lead to the success or failure of a project, here are some of those that we will be examining. Databank The databank of case studies and experiences will firstly be a tool for documenting and comparing cases across Canada in order to complete the two State of Knowledge reports. However, we believe that this information will also be an important resource for Aboriginal nations, forestry companies and governments who wish to learn from the experiences of others, to improve their own processes or to develop new ideas. We hope to be able to make this databank available on the internet for the benefit of all. We need your help ! Collaboration and harmonization projects There are hundreds or thousands of projects across Canada. We know about some of them, but we would like to learn of others. If you are involved in a project, or if you know of an interesting or innovative project, please provide us with some information and the details of a person we could contact ? Workshops Much information always remains in the heads and hearts of people involved and on-ground experts - whether they are Aboriginal, from the government, in the industry or academics. We will be organising several workshops to enable these experts to discuss and compare their ideas and explanations and to check the ideas of the research team. If you have particular experiences with a number of collaboration cases, please let us know and we will discuss how you can contribute to our workshops. Working papers and reports Internal reports, working papers and project evaluations often contain important information that can help us to understand why a project succeeded or failed. If you, or someone else, has such information and you are prepared to share them, we ask you to contact us. We would like to learn from your experience, while also respecting the confidentiality of your information.

2. Collaboration and harmonization A range of options for Aboriginal Nations and the forest industry Different options Treaties and agreements Business partnerships Business partnerships may take different forms. Many Aboriginal Nations have established forestry companies which sub-contract to the industry. Elsewhere, communities and forest industries form joint ventures, such as for a sawmill. Forestry companies Joint ventures Contracting Treaties and final agreements resolve major questions about the control and the use of lands, while sector agreements may be limited to a single set of activities (such as forestry). All of these establish power-sharing between governments and Aboriginal Nations. Often they will also create new governance institutions, or renew traditional ones. Co-management Land sharing Delegation Nisga’a (B.-C.) In 1998, the Nisga’a obtained 2 000 km2 of their land, but the forest industry maintained its rights for 5 years. Paix des braves & James Bay Convention (Qc) Divided up the land, established the Cree-Quebec Forestry Council, etc. Services forestiers Atikamekw Aski, Wemotaci (Qc) For over 25 years, SFAA has completed management contracts for the industry. Norsask Forest Products (Sk) In 1988, Norsask was established as joint venture between Meadow Lake Tribal Council et Millar Western. Now MLTC is sole owner. Mapping and use of traditional knowledge Aboriginal forest tenures Obtaining a tenure on public forest lands, such as a Forest Management Licence, gives an Aboriginal nation rights and responsibilities similar to those of forest industries. several provinces have developed tenure options specifically for Aboriginal nations. Licences CAAF FRAs Across Canada, researchers have studies Aboriginal communities to learn about their use, their occupation and their knowledge of forestlands. However, It is often difficult to use this information in forestland management while respecting both Aboriginal and industry interests. Occupation studies Traditional knowledge Carrier-Sekani Nation (B.-C.) The seven communities of the Carrier-Sekani Nation hold 29 forest tenures. Various tenure types have different advantages and disadvantages. Scierie Opitciwan (Qc) The Atikamekw of Opitciwan hold a CAAF which gives them management and harvesting rights over a part of Nitaskinan. Chief Kerry’s Moose An excellent book on the issues and techniques associated with collecting and using traditional knowledge. www.ecotrust.org/publications Ndoho Istchee (Qc) A new process developed by the Cree Model Forest so that families and elders can contribute their knowledge in forest planning. Consultation Forestry in evolution Consultation is becoming more and more widespread in forestry. There are numerous ways of doing this, including Round Tables, public meetings and advisory committees. It is important to know the mandate or role of the process, who is managing or leading it, how events will be organised and who will be participating. Committee Participation Round Table Forest management in Canada is changing. New ideas, concepts and initiatives provide opportunities for all actors to review their vision, their practices, their existing relationships, and to develop new ones. Certification Ecosystem Model forests management Harmonization measures (Qc) Enable Aboriginal communities and the industry to negotiate and modify forestry plans and practices. « New relationship » (C.-B.) In 2005, BC First Nations and the provincial government established a new framework for negotiation and consultation. Ecosystem management Innu Nation of Labrador A new management plan based on Innu vision and priorities. Cree Model Forest, Waswanipi (Qc) A partnership between the Cree, the industry and the Quebec government to develop new approaches to forest management. for achieving different objectives Sharing benefits Forest harvesting and forest land management provide economic benefits in royalty payments, employment, business opportunities, training, etc. Aboriginal Nations expect to benefit from these opportunities, as do the industry and the government. A respectful forestry Many Nations are concerned by the impact of forestry practices on the environment and on their traditional activities. They hope to see management which is more respectful of forestlands. Occupying the land For many Aboriginal people, the forest is not just a place where there are trees and animals. It is a place where they live, essential for their identity and culture - a “milieu de vie”. They wish to occupy the land and care for it. Responsibilities and rights for the land The link between Aboriginal people and the land involves their responsibilities and rights for this land. Currently, there is much debate around question of ancestral rights and Aboriginal title. However, recognising these rights confirms a particular way of occupying the land. This means enabling Aboriginal people to identify and develop their own ways of exercising their responsibilities for the land.