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Visit http://whitefeatherforest.com for more information about the Land Use Strategy for the Whitefeather Forest and Adjacent Lands. Download a copy of the strategy (PDF -13Mb) at http://whitefeatherforest.com/pdfs/land-use-strategy.pdf

Press release from http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/csb/news/2006/jun26nr_06.html

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS PROSPERITY FOR ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES - Whitefeather Forest Land Use Strategy Will Provide Greater Self-sufficiency For Pikangikum First Nation

PIKANGIKUM, June 26, 2006 — The McGuinty government is helping build stronger Aboriginal communities by sharing in the approval of the Whitefeather Forest Land Use Strategy, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

“We are working with Pikangikum First Nation to identify resource-based economic opportunities that will lead to greater self-sufficiency and a stronger community,” said Ramsay. “A key component of the strategy is also protecting natural heritage and conserving biodiversity, including species at risk such as the woodland caribou.”

The Whitefeather Forest Land Use Strategy, entitled Keeping the Land, is the first of its kind in Ontario and balances social, economic and environmental values. It was prepared under the Community-based Land Use Planning process adopted by the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Northern Boreal Initiative. The goal of the initiative is for First Nations to play a leading role in planning for their future. Pikangikum First Nation launched its Community-based Land Use Planning initiative in 2003.

“Keeping the Land embodies the wisdom of our Elders and the vision of the people of Pikangikum for the future of this community and our children,” said Chief Dan Owen of Pikangikum. “In partnership with Ministry of Natural Resources staff, we’ve ensured the strategy reflects our Anishinaabe values and highlights our shared responsibilities for the land.”

Today’s announcement is another example of the McGuinty government’s commitment to building stronger and more prosperous northern and Aboriginal communities. Other initiatives include:

• A $1-million capital grant to the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres to support the renovation of 23 Indian Friendship Centres throughout the province.
• Opening up the development of waterpower sites on Crown land, some of which directly benefit First Nations.
• Investing more than $500,000 over three years in Aboriginal youth employment programs to provide summer jobs and training for Aboriginal youth.
• Contributing $60 million to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to support job creation and emerging technologies.

“This strategy, prepared in partnership with Pikangikum First Nation, will lead to a brighter future for First Nation youth and benefit all Ontarians,” said Ramsay. “We are working hard on behalf of Aboriginal communities and the North, and I congratulate Pikangikum First Nation for taking a leadership role in land use planning and looking towards a brighter future for its young people.”

Related Information:

KEEPING THE LAND — A LAND USE STRATEGY FOR THE WHITEFEATHER FOREST AND ADJACENT AREAS - http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/csb/news/2006/jun26bg_06.html

Backgrounder - Northern Boreal Initiative - June 26, 2006

The Ontario government established the Northern Boreal Initiative in 2000 to explore new opportunities for land use planning, commercial forestry and protected areas in the part of the province north of current forestry operations. The initiative supports greater self-sufficiency and prosperity for northern First Nation communities through resource-based economic development. It was designed to help far north First Nations take a leadership role in community-based land use planning, a process that balances environmental and economic interests with traditional Aboriginal values.

The Northern Boreal Initiative aims to deliver new jobs and allows First Nations in the far north to assume a leadership role in sustainable forest management. Strategic land use planning that seeks to balance resource development, protection and conservation while respecting Aboriginal traditional knowledge and customary pursuits will pave the way for stronger and more prosperous First Nations.

Community of Pikangikum and Whitefeather Forest

Pikangikum First Nation (population: 2,200) is a remote-access community located approximately 100 kilometres north of Red Lake in northwestern Ontario. The Whitefeather Forest is a northern boreal forest area traditionally used by the people of Pikangikum. A variety of remote tourism establishments exist throughout the area based on numerous lakes and river systems. There is one all-weather road in the area, and customary activities in the forest include hunting and fishing, trapping, and harvesting of other non-timber forest products. These customary livelihood activities are no longer sufficient to support this rapidly growing community. The Whitefeather Forest planning area covers 1.3 million hectares north of Red Lake. This initiative provides an opportunity for economic renewal for the community, now and in the future.

Community-based Land Use Planning Process

In June 2003, Pikangikum First Nation and MNR began Community-based Land Use Planning for the Whitefeather Forest and Adjacent Areas. This approach considered local community concerns and priorities, as well as broader ecological factors and provincial level direction. Factors such as forest management, resource-based tourism, mining exploration, hydro-electric development, parks and protected areas, resource access and community access were also reviewed.

Pikangikum Elders provided guidance throughout the process, and assisted with planning, consultation, and provision of indigenous knowledge and direction for new activities. Meetings were held with First Nation organizations in Ontario and Manitoba, provincial environmental groups, tourist operators, forest industry representatives, local hunters and anglers, the mineral sector and the Municipality of Red Lake. Open houses held in Pikangikum and Red Lake were all well-attended.

The ministry acted as a planning partner and facilitator, provided ecological information, and led public participation in environmentally significant decision-making. A major amendment to Crown Land Use Policy will implement the land use direction for the establishment of protected areas, enhanced management areas and general use areas as described in the approved strategy.

Forestry as a New Land Use

Community-based Land Use Planning considered forestry as one of many interests. With the approval of this strategy, Pikangikum First Nation will move towards acquiring commercial forest management tenure. Keeping the Land sets out objectives and provides guiding direction for the manner in which forestry will take place. Pikangikum will take a leading role in planning, forest management and operations. New commercial forestry opportunities will require approval under the Environmental Assessment Act and licensing under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. The allocation of specific areas for the purpose of commercial forest management will subsequently require the preparation of a forest management plan.

Conservation and Protection

Keeping the Land commits to maintaining healthy ecosystems, sustainability of resources, protection of significant features and a variety of recreational opportunities through strategic land use planning. Implementation of the strategy provides the opportunity to add over 400,000 hectares to Ontario’s protected areas system by dedicating spectacular landscapes and 400 kilometres of culturally significant waterways to a new partnership arrangement between Pikangikum First Nation and Ontario Parks. Protected areas include representative natural and cultural features, contributing to the completion of Ontario’s parks system and the protection of Aboriginal interests.

The strategy also recognizes the importance of the ongoing protection of species at risk and their habitat. Both the Ontario government and the people of Pikangikum are committed to the conservation of woodland caribou in the northern boreal forest. Land use direction for conservation of biodiversity is outlined in Keeping the Land. The strategy identifies protected areas that include suitable habitat, calving islands and travel corridors. It also commits to a strategic access approach to maintain remoteness. The strategy directs an adaptive management approach to respond to new developments in woodland caribou research, resource development or natural events on the landscape such as wildfire or blowdowns.

Funding support has been provided to the Whitefeather Forest Initiative by the following agencies: FedNor, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Living Legacy Trust, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Forestry Futures Trust, Natural Resources Canada - First Nations Forestry Program, Independent First Nations Alliance, the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Media Enquiries
Alex Peters
Whitefeather Forest Management Corp
Pikangikum First Nation
807-773-5578

Tim Sullivan
Ministry of Natural Resources
Ontario Parks
807-475-1497

John Sills
Ministry of Natural Resources
Thunder Bay District
807-475-1272

General Enquiries
 
Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)