The Forest Stewardship Councilâ (FSCâ) Canada, together with the FSC Canada Indigenous Chamber, the FSC Indigenous Foundation, and Indigenous communities across the country, is proud to announce the launch of the Indigenous Knowledge Networks, a new Indigenous led initiative designed to strengthen community-driven forest stewardship, knowledge sharing, and rights-based governance.
The Indigenous Knowledge Networks will serve as a collaborative platform where Indigenous communities can connect, share wise practices, and advance their own stewardship priorities in ways that reflect local governance systems, cultural protocols, and community-defined goals.
As part of the launch, Wahkohtowin Development GP has been named the first regional Network, supporting sister Nations across the Northeast Superior Region. Wahkohtowin will lead in-person gatherings, virtual learning opportunities, and community-driven activities that strengthen relationships and build capacity across the region.
“You don’t know what you don’t know. The spirit of Forest Stewardship Council is built on equitable participation — ensuring Indigenous Peoples have a real voice in how forests are governed and certified. But equity doesn’t happen automatically. Indigenous Hubs and Networks help bridge the gap by creating access to information, relationships, decision-making spaces with peer-to-peer support within the FSC system. When Indigenous Peoples can better understand how the system works, equitable participation becomes not just an intention, but a real possibility. This helps turn the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Free, Prior and Informed Consent into lived reality, not just words on paper", said David Flood, General Manager at Wahkohtowin Development.
Building momentum through shared learning
The first phase of the Indigenous Knowledge Network will include a visioning process shaped by community priorities, a compendium of online learning materials, annual webinars, a forum at the Indigenous Lands Symposium, and an in-person session focused on forest management and FSC standards. Additional activities will support knowledge exchange, legal literacy, and mapping of Nations connected to FSC-certified forest areas.
“Indigenous Peoples have stewarded these forests since time immemorial,” said Monika Patel, CEO of FSC Canada. “The Indigenous Knowledge Network reflects our commitment to supporting Indigenous leadership and creating space for Indigenous knowledge systems to guide how we collectively care for forests.”
The Indigenous Knowledge Network aims to strengthen collaboration between Indigenous communities, expand opportunities for Indigenous forest stewards, and support climate resilience, biodiversity outcomes, and other goals they self-determine. The initiative will also contribute to global understanding of Indigenous-led forest stewardship, including emerging concepts such as Indigenous Cultural Landscapes and a great feedback loop for the Forest Stewardship Council to learn from.