Forest Caucus Report

A Newsletter of the Canadian Environmental Network Forest Caucus

Report on Aboriginal and Indigenous Events
Erin Horvath, Land Use Planner for Cat Lake First Nation and Slate Falls First Nation & Lindsay Bunce, Lake Superior First Nations Development Trust

We would like to begin by saying we are non-Aboriginal and present this report simply as participants of many of the Aboriginal and Indigenous proceedings of the 12th World Forestry Congress. Erin works as a Land Use Planner with Cat Lake/Slate Falls First Nation and Lindsay works as a Community Forestry Officer with the Lake Superior First Nations Development Trust. As such, we both work extensively with Aboriginal communities in Northwestern Ontario. We attended the Congress with a specific interest in Aboriginal and Indigenous issues pertaining to land development, self-determination of natural resources, and recognition of Aboriginal rights and values.

Throughout the Congress, Aboriginal and Indigenous issues were addressed at side events but afforded little emphasis in officially scheduled WFC proceedings. Although, those Aboriginal and Indigenous People in attendance often voiced their concerns, it seemed that when these issues were brought up within the context of the Congress (typically in the thematic sessions), it was largely the result of a moderator who was sensitive to these interests.

Perhaps the most prominent Aboriginal and Indigenous event to take place during the Congress was the declaration of the Wendake Action Plan. The Plan was developed based on proceedings that took place at the Indigenous Peoples’ Forest Forum just prior to the opening of the Congress. It called for immediate action to allow native participation in defining forest policies and to guarantee Indigenous rights to self-determination of natural resources. The Wendake Action Plan also questioned the role of the UN, WTO and World Bank in acknowledging and promoting the rights of Native Peoples to manage natural resources. The Plan demanded that the recommendations developed at the World Forestry Congress and elsewhere, be put into action.

Overall, although Indigenous and Aboriginal issues were presented at the Congress, it seemed that this event, like many in forestry and resource development, was geared towards somewhat of a corporate agenda. The general culture of the Congress was one of business and government, as even the costs of registration and attendance were prohibitive for many people. It seemed that many of those who would be most affected by the outcomes of the Congress (forest dwelling communities, First Nations, etc.), were unable to attend.

In order to ensure that Aboriginal and Indigenous Peoples are active participants in resource development and forestry, their attendance at events such as the WFC is imperative. In order to facilitate this, we offer a few recommendations for future World Forestry Congresses:

• greater opportunity for networking between Aboriginal and Indigenous groups and representatives;
• more scheduled Congress events geared towards Aboriginal and Indigenous issues;
• increased financial support for Aboriginal and Indigenous People to attend the Congress.