Indigenous Relations

Our leadership at all levels are deeply committed to values-based engagement with Indigenous Peoples. Our Indigenous relations work reflects a deep commitment to building long-term relationships with Indigenous communities through collaboration, accountability, and measurable action plans.

Building Long-term Relationships

We are dedicated to fostering strong, constructive relationships with Indigenous Peoples. This commitment incorporates respecting treaties, traditional land rights, and pursuing mutually beneficial commercial partnerships that support long-term socio-economic prosperity. In 2025, we will introduce an integrated Global Indigenous Relations Policy with a focus on building sustainable relationships and shared economic growth.

Indigenous Business Opportunities

One critical target for our company is to provide equitable access to business opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in the forest products sector. In 2025, we will introduce a Global Indigenous Relations and Procurement Policy to reinforce our dedication to sustainable, collaborative partnerships, and to expand opportunities for Indigenous economic participation across our operations.

Collaborative Resource Management

We prioritize regular dialogue with Indigenous communities in our operating areas. Our consensus-based approach ensures that Indigenous communities are actively involved in our forest management planning, fostering respect for cultural, environmental, and social priorities. For more information on our approach, including certifications and sustainable practices, visit our Woodlands and Certification sections.

Key Partnerships and Ventures

We have developed several successful partnerships with Indigenous communities. Below are some examples:

Atli Chip Partnership (Vancouver Island): A large-scale fibre-supply agreement with the ‘Na̱mǥis First Nation, through Atli Chip, majority-owned by Atli Resources LP. We purchase all wood chip and biomass fuel production, enhancing Indigenous participation in the local economy.
Thunder Bay Sawmill (Ontario): A unique 20-year partnership with Fort William First Nation, established under the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act. The partnership includes a percentage of Anishinabek employees and the partnership is a model for Indigenous engagement in the forestry sector.
Opitciwan Sawmill (Quebec): A joint venture with the Atikamekw Council of Obedjiwan, which includes a percentage of Atikamekw employees. The partnership includes plans for a biomass cogeneration plant to supply power to the Obedjiwan community by 2026.
Meadow Lake Mill (Saskatchewan): An equal partnership with NorSask Forest Products through Mistik Management Ltd., which oversees sustainable forest management in a 1.9 million-hectare boreal forest. Indigenous participation is integral to Mistik’s operations and its forest management plans.

Creating Opportunities for Indigenous Youth

Mentoring is one of our core values and fostering opportunities for Indigenous youth is crucial to long-term community prosperity:

Youth Employment Programs: As early supporters, continue to work with the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP) which provides six-week paid forestry work experience to high school aged Indigenous youth in a supportive and enriching environment across Canada.
Indigenous-led Education: We’ve supported Lac des Mille Lacs Education Centre in Thunder Bay, which has Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language instruction, and a community hockey program.
Post-Secondary Scholarships: We award Indigenous student scholarships annually helping to support future leaders in their educational pursuits. Scholarship funds have been provided to Indspire, Vancouver Island University, College of the Rockies, and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.
Entrepreneurship Development Programs: We proudly sponsor a variety of entrepreneurship focused programs. We’ve sponsored Bears’ Lair Dream Camps in BC and Saskatchewan which offer interactive training and hands-on activities to help Indigenous youth develop business skills and prepare for entrepreneurial success. We’ve been involved since the beginning of the Tapuetatish “Believe in Yourself” women’s entrepreneurship camp and “My Way” youth entrepreneurship camp both created more than five years ago. These camps allow Indigenous women aged 36 and older and young people aged 18 to 35 from the Mashteuiatsh community to develop their entrepreneurial skills while receiving mentorship.