Forestry

Looks at inclusion of local values and visions in the forest governance, ecosystems and development shared between First Nations and partner municipalities.

Outlines the commercial and First Nations use of non-timber forest products including wild mushrooms and other wild foods, botanical medicinals, arts and crafts, floral greenery, bio-fuels, and forest recreation/tourism based on the forest botanical resources.

Study includes: statistical overview, factors affecting industry-First Nations partnerships, details of particular issues in each province and territory, and recommendations for future partnerships.

Mandate was to address Aboriginal issues and a way to negotiate a long term harvesting arrangement.

Looks at effects of outside colonists on the local populations regarding deforestation and devastation of natural resources.

Resource Management and Environmental Studies Thesis (M.S.)--The University of British Columbia, 2007.

Looks at how balancing orality and literacy in the context of adaptive co-management with communities will enable natural resource stakeholders to continually improve the relevance of their policy, research and management.

Focuses on Commission's recommendations for dealing with, "The Indian people in the North of Ontario" and suggests circumstances and time may have eliminated any impact the recommendations could have achieved.

Assess the impact, implication and application of two traditional land use and occupancy studies that have been conducted in First Nation communities over the last decade.

Anthropology Thesis (M.A.)--University of Alberta, 2006.

Study hypothesized that peoples’ perceptions would be influenced by their cultural models about forests and would vary amongst regions with different forest use histories and among different cultural groups. The study found that the social dimension was rated low overall, except for with the Métis and Innu of Labrador.

Study conducted on the Chimane Amerindians in Bolivia's rain forest had two tentative conclusions: conservation is enhanced when land rights of Indigenous peoples are protected and high private discount rates do not necessarily increase deforestation.

RCAP 128 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission includes presentations relating to culture, economic development, forestry, friendship centres, education and health care.

RCAP 133 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Hotel Bonaventure-Hilton, Outremont Room, Montreal, Quebec. This sitting of the Commission includes presentations relating to forestry, women's rights, land claims, self-government and tourism.

File contains a presentation by Hubert Clary, Chief of the Obedjiwan Council. Clary discusses the overexploitian of natural resouces (forestry, wildflife) around his community and the detrimental effects this has had. Clary also stresses that his people are not anti-development but wish to be partners in development on their territory. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Robinson discuss some of the issues raised with Clary.

File contains a presentation by Chief Marcel Boivin of the Weymontachie Council. Boivin discusses the Weymontachie community in demographic terms, and social problems facing it. Boivin also discuses relations with the federal and Quebec governments, forestry development, and land claims negotiations. Following the presentation Boivin discusses some of these issues with Robinson and Dussault.

File contains an indivdual presentation by Irene Neeposh, a trapper, expressing personal dissatisfaction with government restrictions on Income Security and the use of wood for shelters and campfires. She calls on the Commission to ensure that her way of life on the trapline will not be phased out of existence with more government restrictions.

File contains a presentation by Roy Louis that initially states that the Commission lacks a Treaty Commissioner so he is already skeptical of the findings of the Commission. His presentation covers a number of issues such as joint ventures and economic development, tourism, forestry, agriculture, and racism. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.

File contains an individual presentation by Sam Sinclair focusing on environmental issues, lack of employment for local Aboriginal people with logging and oil companies working in the Slave Lake area, and land claims. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Prince George, British Columbia. This part includes opening comments by the moderator, Leo Hebert, and a presentation of the Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council by Archie Patrick, Chief Justa Monk, Dr. Douglas Brown and Patrick Michelle concerning self-sufficiency and Aboriginal self-government. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow.

This file contains a presentation by Andre Duchesne relating to the forestry industry in Quebec. He states that his organization attempts to consult with Aboriginal communities or groups regarding clearing, environmental concerns, land use and employment in round table forums. He also mentions that few Aboriginal persons appear interested in a career in forest management, but his organization would assist those persons financially. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Andy Von Busse relating to the management of fish and wildlife resources, particularly concerning the unlimited and unregulated hunting and fishing ability of Status and Non-Status Aboriginals. The presenter recommends that individual First Nations should be given a clear authority to make bylaws concerning the management and use of fish and wildlife resources within their boundaries. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Clifford Lincoln, Special Representative of the Barriere Lake Algonquins. Lincoln discusses the Trilateral Agreement signed by the Barrier Lake Algonquins with the governments of Quebec and Canada on August 22, 1991.

This file contains a presentation by Bob Moore relating to forestry in the Six Nations Confederacy. Moore states that the federal government is not doing enough to protect the forests in the Six Nations area, and states that "successful management of reserve forests would yield social and economic benefits both to the bands and to the federal government.

File contains a presentation by Chief Berni Metecheah, Halfway First Nation. Chief Metecheah outlines some of his concerns over resource development (specifically logging activities) disrupting trap lines, and associated pollution. Metecheah also highlights his concerns with sport hunters wasting moose carcasses and over-hunting in the area, as well as the detrimental impact of herbicides on his community.

File contains a presentation by Chief Jerry Attachie, Doig River First Nation. Attachie discusses his issues with resource companies, specifically forestry and oil companies, causing problems for his peoples trapping and hunting activities. Attachie also discusses concerns with education and housing. Following his presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Attachie.

File contains a presentation by Chief Ray Harris expressing concern with the distinct society status that Quebec enjoys and questions why Aboriginal peoples do not have the same recognition. Harris believes that "our Indian constitution needs to be entrenched" but says that a basic form of self-government with informal constitutions has worked in many small First Nations in British Columbia for years. He calls upon the Canadian government to also limit provincial jurisdiction relating to wildlife, conservation and forestry, among other areas.

File contains a presentation by Chief Tony Mercredi, of the Athabasca Chipewyan Band. Mercredi welcomes the Commission, and remarks on his participation at the World Summit Conference in Rio. Mercredi then proceeds to deliver a presentation on the relationship between Canada and Aboriginal peoples and how he thinks it must be renogiated based on new principles of trust and understanding. Mercredi also disucsses the impact of pollution on his community with regard to the uranium mining, oil sands extraction and pulp mills.

File contains a presentation by Donald D. Cameron focusing on the forestry and mining industry. He urges the Commission to "endorse the concept of multi-use of Canada's natural resources, not just by tourist outfitters, trappers, fishermen and mining and forestry companies, but by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Doug McCrae, President of Keyano College. McCrae discusses his College's operations and its relations to the Aboriginal community as well as area industries such as forestry and oil sands extraction. Following the presentation McCrae discusses some of the issues raised with Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand.

File contains a presentation by Dwayne Desjarlais, Fort McMurray First Nation. Desjarlais discusses the Al-Pac pulp mill near Lake Athabasca, which he states is the largest on earth. Specifically Desjarlais discusses the enviornmental impacts of such development and the need for First Nations input into the process. Following the presentation is a discussion between Desjarlais and Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney.

File contains a presentation by Grand Chief George Behn, Fort Nelson First Nation. Behn relays the history of his people from the time they signed Treaty 8 until the present. Behn discusses problems with the government and resource companies, and the settlement which his First Nation made for oil royalty revenue. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses resource use and pollution issues with Behn.

This file contains a presentation by Ghislain Picard focusing on the relationship between Aboriginals in Quebec and Labrador and the federal government.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Hamlet of St. George's Hill by Mayor Gerald Desjarlais, Councillor Pat Desjarlais, and Councillor Theresa Montgrand. Mayor Desjarlais discusses how 70 percent of the hamlet's population are Bill C-31 people with the band from Dillon who Montgrand claims "don't support the Bill C-31s at all." Pat Desjarlais discusses the air bombing range in the area, and its effects on trapping and logging activities. Following the presentation the two Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with the two Desjarlais, and Montgrand.

File contains a presentation by Harry Baikie focusing on economic development in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay region. He discusses the Trans-Labrador Highway, the industry of pilot training, the resolution of land claims in Labrador, and development of a forestry industry and hydro power. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation made by Jim Favel on economic development and self-government in Aboriginal communities. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation by Joan Ryan focusing on education for the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people, including programs offering fishery, carpentry, forestry and court worker training. She calls on the Commission to ensure continued funding for programs that educate Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en persons and return them back to their communities to help others. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file consists of a presentation by Monte Hummel relating to conservation objectives in Canada. The World Wildlife Fund of Canada (WWF) believes that government policies regarding parks and protected areas must recognize the moral legitimacy and the legal reality of Aboriginal title, self-government, treaty rights and outstanding land claims. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains a presentation by Paul Dixon stating that the Canadian government has destroyed "most of the hunting societies that have existed since time immemorial." Traplines are being destroyed as forestry operations are wiping out animals' shelter and vegetation for safety of their lives. The cyclical movements of animals and the mating pathways are greatly damaged and Dixon states that innumerable animal and plant species are endangered. He calls on the Commission to help stop the destruction of animals and plants used by trappers for survival.

File contains a presentation by Peter Gull whose corporation's objective is to create local employment in the forestry industry and to bring economic opportunities to the community. He believes that non-fulfilment of the government's obligations with the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement "creates more damage and greater hardship to the individual." Gull calls upon the Commission to pressure the government to respect their obligations according to the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Pierre Minville focusing on tourism in the Oka area. He lists some spots such as Lac des Deux Montagnes and the beautiful and historic coniferous hardwood forests that surround the village of Oka that could be turned into tourist attractions, which would create jobs for Aboriginals in the area. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Rev. Dr. Raymond Hodgson and Rev. Peter Hemel. Their organization is a national ecumenical coalition, one of 12 national coalitions of the major Christian churches in Canada. The Taskforce assists the members in implementing policies adopted by the churches in the areas of corporate, social and environmental responsibility. For example, the Taskforce worked with the Nisga'a relating to a mine built in Alice Arm, British Columbia.

File contains a presentation by Simon Michel that briefly discusses environmental concerns such as water pollution, the Churchill Falls hydro project and low-level flying of Canadian Forces jets. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Crees of James Bay; Romeo Saganash, Deputy Grand Chief; Chief Billy Diamond; and Bill Nemagoose, Executive Director, Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec. Their presentation focuses on the proposed James Bay Phase II, consisting of two hydroelectric projects: the Great Whale River project and the Nottaway-Broadback Rupert project. The damming, flooding and construction done during the first phase of the project in the 1970s destroyed Aboriginal fishing and hunting grounds and animal migration paths.

File contains a presentation made by Mayor Rod Bishop for the Village of Green Lake on the topic of self-government. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation by Michael Low, Manager for the Western Region of Weyerhauser Canada. Low discusses the Weyerhauser Corporation's vision for working with Aboriginal individuals and communities in the forestry industry, stresses the importance of cultural understanding, and highlights some of the developments that have been made in the relationship. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault, Chartrand, and Joe thank Low for his presentation.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This portion includes a presentation of the Society of Native Indian Fire Fighters of British Columbia by Clifford Azak concerning the issue of fire and safety programs in British Columbia. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow the presentation.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Indian Water Rights Commission of British Columbia by Albert Saddleman. Saddleman discusses the history of his organization, water usage, management and pollution issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses water issues with Saddleman, as well as with Elder Dave Parker and community member Howard Gabriel. Following the discussion the Commission adjourns for the day.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Inter-tribal Forestry Association by Harold Derickson. Derickson discusses Aboriginal participation in the forestry sector, barriers to participation, co-management practices, problems with Department of Indian Affairs forestry policy, job training issues, and business development issues. Derickson makes a variety of recommendations with regard to forestry. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses most of the issues raised with Derickson.