Let’s celebrate National Forest Week by honouring Canada’s original forest managers and their lasting legacy in sustainable forest management.
Originally published by The Globe & Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-growing-together-the-future-of-forestry-is-indigenous-driven/
Many Canadians may not realize we are soon entering National Forest Week, a time to reflect on forests’ vital role in our history, economy and future.
National Forest Week, happening September 21–27, 2025, reminds us to balance economic opportunities with sustainability. Indigenous-led forest ventures already exemplify this. Indigenous communities have managed forests responsibly for thousands of years, and their involvement has increased significantly, with more land and resources under their control, including forest tenures.
In a specific example, we at the Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) saw this responsible management first-hand during our production of our short video documentary about Westbank First Nation’s Forestry company – Ntityix Resources LP – and their sustainable forest management. Ntityix Resources operates near Kelowna, B.C., and follows a Seven Generations Plan, adopting sustainable forest practices rooted in traditional Syilx values.
In recent months, discussions have mainly focused on fast-tracking major national projects – primarily oil, gas and mining initiatives, along with the supporting corridors and ports. While these are critical, especially amid trade uncertainties with the U.S., they should not overshadow forestry’s importance to our economy and environment.
Thousands of Canadians work in the forestry sector, which supports communities’ livelihoods and identities. U.S. tariffs threaten these forest-dependent communities already impacted by the softwood lumber dispute with the U.S.
Indigenous communities feel these pressures most acutely. While forests cover 40 per cent of Canada, over 70 per cent of Indigenous communities live near forested areas. For millennia, Indigenous Peoples balanced deriving economic livelihood from forests with environmental stewardship. As this is being written, wildfires threaten lives, health and property across Canada. Public agencies will spend millions fighting them. However, they are beginning to see that Indigenous cultural and prescribed burns can reduce wildfire frequency and severity. Research shows these burns lower fuel loads and increase pyrodiversity – the variety of fire types and intensities across a landscape – which fosters healthier ecosystems and helps prevent large wildfires. Authorities should incorporate Indigenous knowledge into future forest and wildlife management policies.
Indigenous groups seek fair access to forest tenure and timber allocations – nothing more – so they can pursue economic development. Governments and industry must respect Indigenous rights and title when allocating forest rights and shaping policies. Government and industry incorporating rights and co-management will only create more stability and certainty within the sector.
Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) standard will influence future forest policies. It is already being felt. Leading governments and companies are already adopting FPIC-like agreements, recognizing that meaningful participation and co-management foster resilient, long-term forest partnerships. For instance, the Tsay Keh Dene Nation in northern B.C. collaborates with private partners to balance timber production and sustainable community-based management.
The future of sustainable forestry depends on increasing Indigenous participation. This includes stronger industry-Indigenous partnerships, expanded forest tenures, fair forest sector procurement policies, better Indigenous recruitment and retention within the forestry world, and greater integration of Indigenous knowledge into policy frameworks.
Let’s celebrate National Forest Week by honouring Canada’s original forest managers and their lasting legacy in sustainable forest management.