DISTRICT – First Nations leaders around the Timiskaming region say they are unanimous in their disapproval of the proposed 2021-2031 Timiskaming Forest Management Plan.
In a joint news release, First Nations leaders from Temagami, Matagami, Matachewan, Teme-Augama Anishnabai, Beaverhouse, and Timiskaming cited concerns that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and Timiskaming Forest Alliance Inc. (TFAI) were not taking seriously their concerns or the long-term health and sustainability of the forest and the use of herbicides.
The First Nations claim that after multiple efforts to work with the MNRF and the TFAI, “it has become clear that legitimate efforts to improve the plan, and ensure that First Nations share in the economic benefits of the forest, were not taken seriously.”
They added that “many serious issues remain unresolved.”
MNRF REVIEW
The MNRF responded that it was aware of the January 22 media release issued by the First Nations and that it was reviewing it carefully.
“The ministry takes its duty to consult with Indigenous people very seriously,” said Jolanta Kowalski, senior media relations officer for the MNRF, in an email to The Speaker.
Kowalski said that the MNRF has been working with the First Nations, and other members of the planning team, for three years in the development of a sustainable and balanced 2021-2031 Timiskaming Forest Management Plan.
“While the ministry has mitigated some concerns expressed by the First Nations, others are beyond what the forest management planning table can achieve,” she noted.
“We continue to be available to meet with the communities to discuss these broader, long-term items, and are committed to exploring solutions.”
Kowalski added that the ministry was hopeful that the
Forest Management Plan will be approved and implemented April 1, 2021 “with no disruption to forest operations and (we) thank all those who have been part of this process.”
The proposed forest management plan falls primarily within the boundaries of the Kirkland Lake and Timmins administrative districts, with 10 small portions in the Sudbury and Cochrane Districts, which is managed by the TFAI.
The MNRF Kirkland Lake District is the lead district, while Timmins District manages the operational activities within their administrative boundaries.
A PRETENCE
Chiefs Shelly Moore Frappier from Temagami First Nation and Leanna Farr from Teme-Augama Anishnabai responded to the MNRF’s statement by saying that “the ministry advising that they have mitigated some concerns, but other issues are beyond what a Forest Management Plan (FMP) can achieve is a pretence, a deception.
“Over many years, the First Nations involved in the Timiskaming Forest have called for the MNRF to take action to include the objectives of Term and Condition 56 within the objectives of the Timiskaming (plan),” the chiefs said in a joint statement to The Speaker.
They reasoned that inclusion of Term and Condition 56 within the forest management plan “would identify and implement ways of achieving more equal participation for our Indigenous communities in the benefits provided through the FMP process.”
If included within the FMP, Chiefs Moore Frappier and Farr said those objectives would include, but are not limited to:
• Number of job opportunities provided with forest and mill operation in the vicinity to indigenous communities.
• Volume of wood supplied to wood processing facilities such as sawmills in indigenous communities;
• Number of facilitated indigenous third-party licence negotiations with existing licences where opportunities exist;
• Number of forest resource licences provided to Aboriginal people where unallocated Crown timber exists close to reserves;
• Number of programs developed to provide jobs, training and income for Aboriginal people in forest management operations through joint projects with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and;
• Number of other forest resources addressed that are affected by forest management.
In addition to that, the chiefs said the Teme-Augama Anishnabai and Temagami First Nation want to see a reduction in the use of herbicides, and, ultimately, a plan with clear targets to eliminate herbicide use and implement alternatives.
They also want to revisit the size and nature of clear cuts within the Timiskaming Forest; create a 60-metre buffer on all riparian areas, any exceptions to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with First Nations; provide for moose protection outside of MEAs; consult with First Nations to ensure inclusion of relevant traditional ecological knowledge; revise procedures to ensure any trapper who may be impacted by harvesting is notified and meaningful accommodations are made; commitment to include, utilize, and track the use of traditional ecological knowledge in Forest Management Plans and Annual Work plans.
“The Teme-Augama Anishnabai and Temagami First Nation expect full and meaningful consultation and accommodation regarding all FMPs to ensure that the health of the forest is maintained for all future generations,” the chiefs said.
“The MNRF has a duty to ensure that this occurs. This duty is not simply a Forest Management Planning exercise, it is the law.”
Chiefs Moore Frappier and Farr also claim that MNRF Regional Director Grant Ritchie has continually deferred their concerns to future meetings and talks.
“Despite years of attempted negotiations, no actions have been taken to address these matters,” they stated.
“We have been devoting our internal resources and good faith efforts for many years to a process that continues to result in a lack of recognition of our rights and a total lack of positive movement forward to addressing our concerns about the adverse impacts to the forest and to our people.”
Chiefs Moore Frappier and Farr said they will be looking to other means to achieve reconciliation of their people’s legal rights and valid interests within the Timiskaming Forest Management Unit.
Jamie Mountain, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker | Courtesy of Yahoo News
