Research
A Guidebook for First Nation for First Nations on Forestry Options in a Changing Marketplace
For as many as 160 of the 200 First Nations communities in BC, the forestry business offers the main option for economic development in the foreseeable future.
Achieving success in forestry is a daunting challenge for most First Nations for a number of reasons. Many have populations numbering in the low hundreds, are located far from potential markets and lack an experience base in business.
Compounding that is the fact that the forest industry is consolidating in the face
of a major downturn. In addition, over 100 First Nations are in the pine beetle
devastation zone where the wood resource may disappear for decades before
they have a chance to enter the forest business. First Nations on the Coast are
striving in a high-cost, low margin forest economy.
It is true that a few First Nations have achieved modest success in forestry. But
this is not the case for the vast majority.
Based on meetings with First Nations forestry operators from the majority of BC
Aboriginal communities, AFIC received a clear message that a long-term
roadmap was needed. Communities wanted reliable, long-range information
about where the forest industry is headed and how they can be a bigger player in
future success.
To do that, AFIC engaged research experts who could provide insight in three
critical areas. These are:
- How did First Nations fare in forestry job creation in the last five years?
- How can First Nations communities develop an informed consensus on forestry choices?
- Where will BC forestry be in 2018 and where will First Nations fit?
The data and conclusions in these pages provide the roadmap requested.
True Partners: Charting a New Deal for BC, First Nations and the Forests They Share
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The central issue addressed in this paper is whether the numerous Forest and Range Opportunity Agreements recently concluded between First Nations and the province are likely to be of lasting social, economic and environmental benefit. If they are not, and if successfully concluded treaties remain a long way off, are there things the province could do now to re-define how it shares forest resources and revenues with First Nations in a way that is more meaningful, equitable and just?
The report recommends that the province:
- Share half of all stumpage dollars with First Nations, with each Nation compensated based on the value and volume of trees coming off of their lands;
- Turn defined areas of forestland over to long-term management by First Nations;
- Recognize First Nations as equal co-managers in land-use planning; and
- Provide some further stumpage revenues to Interior First Nations and communities in anticipation of a mountain pine beetle-related collapse in future logging rates.
Forest and Range Agreements ACTION PLAN (Nov.2006): Produced by the First Nations Forestry Council the Action Plan was commissioned to address increasing concerns from most First Nations communities regarding the operationalization of FRA/Os. The Forestry Council and the Province of BC are currently working on tenure viability through the Aboriginal Forest Strategy Working Group.
A Classification System for Forest Tenures on Crown Land [PDF]
NAFA- National Aboriginal Forestry Council
In this document NAFA forwards a Canada-wide common classification system of Forest Tenures. This classification allows for a comparison of Aboriginal access to Crown forests for the purposes of forest management and forest-based economic development. Forest tenure provides one important indicator that provides insight into both these dimensions of involvement in the forest.
