Statement on Aboriginal Peoples rights and the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement

ForestEthics supports the constitutional rights of Aboriginal people, and believes that these rights must be fully respected. ForestEthics also supports the assertion in United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment. We acknowledge that Aboriginal peoples have the right to MANAGE their traditional territories, either for development or conservation, and have the the right to free, prior and informed consent regarding any activities on their traditional territories.

The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement also recognizes that Aboriginal peoples have constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights and title as well as legitimate interests and aspirations. The Agreement is intended to be without prejudice to, and in accordance with, those rights and title. The Agreement is based on the premise that both successful forest conservation and business competitiveness require effective involvement of Aboriginal peoples and their governments. The signatories are committed to such involvement taking place in a manner that is respectful of and engages these Aboriginal rights, title, interests, and aspirations.

The CBFA also recognizes that the legal responsibility and authority for land-use decisions and for conservation and resource management policy rests with federal, provincial and First Nations governments, and that successful implementation of many aspects of the Agreement will require the support of and/or actions of these governments.

We support First Nations communities in their efforts to protect their lands and to secure ecosystem-based management approaches in their territories. We also support conservation-based economic development opportunities in these communities.