November 25, 2019 – FSC Canada and Wahkohtowin Development GP have received funds from Environment and Climate Change Canada to assist with effectively implementing FSC’s new requirements to support Indigenous Peoples Rights.
“The rights of Indigenous peoples, to protect their culture and livelihood, which need to be respected in decisions that impact the forests.,” said Francois Dufresne, President, FSC Canada. “This project will be very helpful in ensuring that Indigenous Communities understand what FSC Certification means and ultimately support their rights.”
The project aims to support Indigenous communities’ participation in FSC Certification; including testing Indigenous Cultural Landscape indicators; and supporting landscape solutions.
“Through this partnership, we have an opportunity to implement collaborative solutions to address key forest issues facing rural and remote forest dependent Indigenous Peoples who continue to rely heavily on healthy sustainable managed forests” said David Flood, General Manager, Wahkohtowin Development GP.
FSC Canada’s regional forest management standards were updated in June 2019 to a new national Forest Management Standard after five years of rigorous consultation with industry, environment, social stakeholder and indigenous groups. The new standard addresses the most pressing issues facing Canadian forests now, including Woodland Caribou, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Workers’ Rights including Gender Equity, Landscape Management and Conservation.