Government Supports Economic Growth for Indigenous Communities Through Softwood Lumber Action Plan

HALIFAX, Sept. 7, 2018 /CNW/ - As Canada leads the way in sustainable growth, our government is supporting Indigenous-led economic growth in Canada's forest sector.  

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, today announced $873,600 for the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq and Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources to apply traditional knowledge to the economic development of Nova Scotia's forests.

As part of Canada's Softwood Lumber Action Plan, this funding will support Mi'kmaq participation in the transformation of Nova Scotia's forests by promoting a holistic Mi'kmaw approach to forestry known as Netukulimk, ensuring forest development consistent with Indigenous values, and creating jobs in Indigenous communities.

Under the Mi'kmaq–Nova Scotia–Canada Framework Agreement, the Mi'kmaq have been developing the capacity to manage and utilize forestry resources.

The Paving the Way for Success project announced today builds on this agreement by helping Mi'kmaw communities incorporate traditional knowledge, data and values, creating a holistic strategic forest management plan for their land. This will create economic development and forest sector capacity firmly rooted in the Netukulimk vision.

Quote
"This project is important because it is reshaping the way Mi'kmaq will be involved in natural resource management. This initiative creates economic opportunities in Nova Scotia while providing sustainable growth options that help pave the way for other First Nations embarking on this journey."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"CMM is very appreciative of the support received from NRCAN over the last three years in making today's announcement possible. The support received for the Mi'kmawey Forestry

Initiative will not only pave the way for the stewards of our Nation in the Forestry Sector, but it will also create innovative opportunities by modernizing the practice and concept of Netukulimk in the management of our lands for our future generations."

Angie Gillis
Senior Director, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq

"This project will help the Mi'kmaq to develop further capacity as they apply their own management concepts and become leaders in ecological forest management, a direction which the Province supports."

The Honourable Iain Rankin
Minister, Nova Scotia Lands and Forestry

Associated link:

Canadian Council Forest Ministers – news release

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.news.gc.ca.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Emerson Vandenberg, Acting Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-292-6837, [email protected]; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100