Indigenous Peoples
We are committed to working closely and respectfully with Indigenous communities where we operate.
Western Forest Products Indigenous Partnerships
Partnering to Advance Reconciliation
Western is dedicated to fostering respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations. Operating within the traditional territories of over 50 First Nations in Coastal British Columbia, we collaborate to advance sustainable forest practices, grow meaningful career opportunities and build profitable business partnerships.
By respecting Indigenous rights and working closely with communities, we aim to support reconciliation and build stronger, innovative partnerships in the forest sector.
Creating Meaningful Partnerships
Innovative
We foster innovative business relationships to benefit workers, communities, customers, shareholders, and the environment, ensuring long-term success while advancing reconciliation.
Collaborative
Together with Indigenous partners, we are developing world-leading forest stewardship models that incorporate Indigenous knowledge and values to enhance forest stewardship, create socioeconomic opportunities, and provide operating certainty.
Transformative
We are committed to not just short-term projects, but to long-term, trust-based partnerships that foster sustainable development to generate lasting social, economic, and cultural benefits.
40+
Active agreements with Indigenous groups or Indigenous organizations.
55
Number of Indigenous groups’ traditional lands on which we operate.
6
Active forest landscape or integrated resource management plans underway.
La-kwa sa muqw Forestry
This limited partnership confers the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, K’ómoks and Tlowitsis First Nations with a combined 34% ownership interest in the timberlands business covering 157,000 hectares of their traditional territories.
C’awak ?qin Forestry
C’awak ?qin Forestry is a limited partnership between Western Forest Products and Huumiis Ventures Limited Partnership, an entity beneficially owned and controlled by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. C’awak ?qin Forestry owns and operates a timberlands business on Tree Farm Licence 44 on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Na̱nwa̱kolas Council
Our collaboration on the Na̱nwa̱kolas Large Cultural Cedar protocol ensures that large, culturally valuable cedars are identified, surveyed and preserved for future use in traditional practices.
Indigenous Relationships Policy
Western acknowledges and respects the Aboriginal rights, title and interests of Coastal British Columbia’s First Nations and believes that by working with these communities we can be stronger together. We recognize that the governments of Canada and British Columbia have endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”) and believe that we can play an important role in advancing reconciliation by supporting new and innovative business relationships and collaborative stewardship planning in the forest sector.
Principle One
We will seek to understand the interests of Indigenous communities and work diligently to support meaningful and lasting reconciliation initiatives.
Principle Two
We will listen to, learn from, and consider the values and input of Indigenous communities in our plans, and seek to develop those plans together.
Principle Three
We will endeavour to develop and foster meaningful relationships through open and timely communication.
Principle Four
We will strive to create mutually beneficial and meaningful business relationships, including opportunities for equity ownership in business.
Principle Five
We will seek to grow mutually beneficial business relationships with Indigenous vendors and work to procure goods and services from businesses committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Principle Six
We will work towards making Western a forestry employer of choice for Indigenous people by fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and a welcoming workplace.
Principle Seven
We will work with and encourage our contractors and communities to increase their awareness of opportunities to employ Indigenous people.
Principle Eight
We will collaborate with Indigenous communities and educational institutions to enhance worker readiness in the forest sector.
Community
Enhancement Fund
Building Community
Western partners with groups and organizations to foster well-being and strengthen connections with a focus on promoting healthier, more vibrant communities where we operate.
Reconciliation
Western actively supports projects that address the unique needs and priorities of the Indigenous communities within whose traditional territories we operate.
Sustainability
Western makes investments in initiatives and organizations that support environmental education and enhance the long-term health of the environment.
Climate Action
Western strives to support and initiate programs that drive research and innovation focused on climate action, contributing to effective climate change solutions and helping build a better world.
Community News
We are dedicated to helping communities thrive, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the regions where we operate.
Progress Through Partnership
We’re collaborating with Indigenous groups to share valuable knowledge and insights. By investing in new technologies and innovative approaches, we’re working to support healthy, resilient forests for the future. Our efforts focus on ecosystem health, creating economic stability and opportunities and fostering a climate-positive future for generations to come.
Careers
We are working to make Western a forestry employer of choice for Indigenous people by fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Stewardship
Our approach to responsible forest management is science-based and collaborative, with a planning horizon that looks hundreds of years into the future. From collecting seeds and growing seedlings to replanting, conserving habitats and harvesting timber, we’re fostering a sustainable future for our forests and the products they provide.
For generations
Products to be Proud of
We are proud of our stewardship performance. Through independent third-party certification and industry-leading partnerships and practices, our customers can be assured of our commitment to sustainability.