Conference focuses on youth

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Executives from some of the country's top forestry companies joined Aboriginal leaders and students from across Canada in Saskatoon Jan. 22 to 24, when the First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP) held its fifth annual Aboriginal Forestry Conference.

The annual conference has a different theme each year, with this year's theme focusing on capacity building, creating partnerships, and creating opportunities for Aboriginal youth.

Joseph DeFranceschi, one of the organizers of the FNFP conference, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for Aboriginal youth through the forestry sector, which he said is one of today's growing labor markets.

"This year we wanted to focus on primarily youth because it is them who will lead the forestry sector in the future. We have many positions available, from the labor level to the professional level," explained DeFranceschi.

"Forestry needs young Aboriginal people who can understand the land and the culture, because most major companies don't have an understanding of the culture when it comes to creating partnerships with Aboriginal people."

This year's conference had many speakers from across Canada who explained their experience in the forestry industry, and how they were able to overcome many obstacles. Lennard Joe from Grizzle-Man Resource Management did a presentation on, 'Where do youth fit in?' He explained how the industry has to be more flexible on how they view youth projects and funding proposals.

"Youth need to be allowed to pursue their own creativity. We need to expose leaders on what's happening, or else get youth involved. With exposure we can create awareness and look for employment increases with Aboriginal youth."

Joe explained how to get youth more involved in the forestry sector. "We need the funding to get a proper education about the forestry sector. Without funding, many opportunities are impossible."

Joe also stressed the fact that youth are not given much to work with in the forestry sector. "Mentoring and job shadowing will develop capacity. We also need to understand our youth and maintain our traditional knowledge of the land."

The importance of understanding the culture and use of the land when creating partnerships with Aboriginal people was a main subject at the conference. Mike Walton of Alberta Pacific Forest Industries explained how his company has worked with Aboriginal people in the past, and how successful it was. Alberta Pacific Forest Industries is the second largest craft producer in Canada, with more than 60,000 square kilometers of forest management. The company works with 15 Aboriginal communities, and Walton knows what it takes to work with Aboriginal people.

"To be successful we must work with communities and recognize their treaties are in place. We also have concerns about the future, and one of them is not enough Natives in the forestry sector."

Walton believes responsibility for recruiting Aboriginal youth lies not just with the companies, but with the youth themselves.

"Young people have to take action to make the contacts and network. They must look at what opportunities are out there for them."

One of the conference delegates was a student from Thunder Bay, Ont., who was making contacts and networking with employers. Dean Assinewe from Lakehead University came in for the week to take in all the presentations, and to meet with future employers.

"It was a great experience, and I hope I can come back with a better understanding of the forestry sector from a business perspective," Assinewe said.

"When I graduate, I want to expand my experience and go into the (forestry) industry. I was fortunate to meet NAFA (the National Aboriginal Forestry Association) early, and got into a business development program.

"If there's any advice I can give to young people about the industry, it is to explore your goals early in life, invest in four years of university, and it will last your whole life."

Assembly of First Nations Nationl Chief Mathew Coon Come also took part in the conference, speaking at the evening banquet. His 45-minute speech gave the delegates something to think about, as he took the crowd out of their comfort zone, and into a zone that made people think twice about the many subjects that were talked about during the conference.

"As national chief, I will continue to work with the federal government to improve the economic conditions of First Nations people. As some of you know, I was involved with the Quebec forestry industry before. I've been in negotiations before, and I fought for the land, and I know that the land is the largest employer. And the government knows that, which is why they want to work with us," explained Coon Come.

"Capacity building is the theme of this conference, but what exactly is capacity building?" asked Coon Come. "In the government's perspective, capacity building means that we are not yet ready for self government. The government used this word at Burnt Church as a polite and political way of saying 'you're not ready for trapping, fishing, and managing your own land. You must be patient. When you graduate from our schools, we will make partnerships'," Coon Come said.

"In forestry, there are two fundamental principles, ownership and protection. When First Nations control the way the forest is used, we must also protect the land. It is our responsibility. These fundamentals are very important. Why should our people seek partnerships with companies who control and own everything in forestry capital? Why do we have to share what is rightfully ours?"

One of the highlights of the conference was the signing of Canada's first multi-jurisdictional resource management plan. The plan was formally endorsed by the 10-partner organizations of the Prince Albert Model Forest (PAMF) during a signing ceremony that took place on Jan. 23.

The Prince Albert Model Forest ecosystem-based integrated resource management plan will guide land use decisions on nearly 370,00 hectares of forest around the Prince Albert northern forestry area, including Montreal Lake Cree Nation.

The resource management plan is the first in Canada to be endorsed by municipal, provincial, and federal governments, as well as by three levels of Aboriginal governments. The signing was the result of more than two years of consultation with all forest users, including the general public. Some partners of the PAMF include Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

The conference was an overall success, with many speakers, delegates, and leaders from across Canada who all gave their input on Aboriginal forestry. There wasn't a large turnout from the youth, but those who did come, like Dean Assinewe, went back to their communities with contacts for future employment opportunities.

Recently, Natural Resources Canada and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs announced they will extend the FNFP for a one year period until March 31, 2002, with funding set at $4.5 million. The FNFP was established in 1996 as a five-year program, designed to help First Nations become involved in the forestry sector.

For more information on the First Nation Forestry Program and its initiatives, you can check the FNFP web site at http://www.fnfp.gc.ca.