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Indigenous Resource Network cautions BC government about potential Indigenous impacts when reviewing forestry policies

by ahnationtalk on January 24, 202586 Views

January 23, 2025

Calgary, AB – The Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) is cautioning British Columbia Premier David Eby and BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar to consider how forest policy changes could potentially harm Indigenous forestry workers and operators as the new government has committed to reviewing provincial forestry policies.

On December 12th, 2024, the BC NDP signed an agreement-in-principle with the BC Greens to create a stable provincial government. The IRN is particularly concerned that the agreement commits the government to undertake yet another BC forests policy review as the province is facing expected softwood lumber duties and U.S. tariffs on February 1st.

We extend an invitation to the premier and minister to meet with the Indigenous Resource Network to discuss how the province can balance Indigenous forestry resource management with environmental stewardship. We also invite the Premier and the Forests Minister to view the Indigenous Resource Network’s documentary project Stewards of the Fores: Indigenous Leadership in Forestry to witness how Indigenous forestry operators are balancing resource development with responsible stewardship.

John Desjarlais, Executive Director at the IRN, commented, “At the heart of these partnerships are Indigenous forestry workers who take immense pride in the work they do. Some of these workers have been involved in the forestry industry for many generations, passing down knowledge and providing opportunities for future generations. The forestry industry is a living testament to Seven Generations teaching in Indigenous cultures.”

The government in any review should consider Indigenous forestry workers and their families. We urge the new government to reflect on how important the Indigenous-led forestry sector is to the province and its economy and towards achieving Indigenous economic reconciliation through forest ownership.

As of 2021, there were 5,315 Indigenous workers directly employed in the forestry industry in British Columbia. In 2019, B.C.’s forestry industry purchased $7 billion of goods in over 340 communities and from 120 Indigenous nations and Indigenous-owned businesses. Of 204 B.C. First Nation communities, 126 have existing forestry revenue-sharing agreements with the provincial government as of 2022. Finally, in 2021-2022, the government’s forestry revenue sharing program paid out $58.8 million to First Nation communities across the province.

This government, to its major credit, has committed to Indigenous economic reconciliation and recognized the principles underlying the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in both legislation and policy. The government should not jeopardize this excellent work by harming jobs and opportunities for thousands of Indigenous forestry workers.

We ask the new government to prioritize these steps while conducting its review:

  • Expand meaningful Indigenous access to forest tenure and harvesting rights through forest tenure reform and stewardship agreements, such as the historic First Nations Woodland Licence deal in 2022 with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, the largest in British Columbia history.
  • Ensure Indigenous-led forestry ventures have access to sustainable capital beyond the Indigenous loan guarantees provided through the 2024 First Nations Equity Financing Framework. Many Indigenous communities wish to pursue ownership of forest operations, including timber, harvest areas, and in companies. Indigenous-owned forestry ventures and partnerships are a significant source of jobs and income for Indigenous families throughout B.C.
  • Invest in and ensure Indigenous people – especially youth – have access to training and education opportunities in the forestry economy. The government should commit to training for Indigenous workers in all forestry fields, from forest management and planning to equipment operators, to sawmill and pulp mill worker training, as well as all specialized trades.

Lastly, the government committed itself in the agreement to work in partnership with the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations and ensure permanent protection of the Fairy Creek Watershed.

We recommend that:

  • While recognizing the need for priority old growth forest protection, the government must recognize and protect Indigenous forestry workers and businesses engaged in sustainable harvesting activities in Fairy Creek and in other old growth areas. True Indigenous self-determination means government cannot choose which forest operations Indigenous communities engage in.
  • The government should limit logging deferrals expansions to only the most critically endangered areas.
  • The government must prioritize the voices of Indigenous forestry stewards over outside activists who have a history of choosing ideology over Indigenous self-determination. Activists cannot be allowed to speak for Indigenous resource workers. UNDRIP is clear Indigenous people speak for themselves and that includes in the Indigenous-led forestry sector.

In reviewing policies, the government must strive for a balance between conserving fragile forest ecosystems and allowing Indigenous forestry workers to maintain viable economic livelihoods. That is Indigenous reconciliation in action.

We look forward to a fruitful dialogue with the new B.C. government at its earliest convenience.

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For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Joseph Quesnel, External Relations Coordinator

Josephquesnel@irnetwork.ca or 902-995-0057

NT4

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