About Us
This project is led by four principal First Nation communities in Manitoba: Black River First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Hollow Water First Nation and Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation. They have asked Cokel Forestry Lands and Environmental to manage the project.
In 2016, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the four First Nations to work together to obtain access to ~800 000 hectares of the Forest Management License located on their traditional territory.
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The Governing Board of Chiefs (GBOC) is leading the Forest Management Option License project. They have appointed community representatives to work directly on the project.
The Project Participants
A forestry initiative
DRIVEN by four First Nations, DECIDED by four First Nations and
DEVELOPED by four First Nations.
Support economic development and employment in forest products manufacturing and woodlands operations.
Develop Indigenous stewardship of the boreal forest landscapes.
Our Goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the four First Nations equal in the Company?
The four principal First Nations are equal. The Company is owned, developed and driven by the four First Nations. Decisions are made by the four Chiefs.
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What does the initiative / Company mean for me?
The initiative, and eventual Company, means jobs and economic growth for the four principal First Nations. It also means Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and environmental values will be implemented in forestry practices, raising awareness throughout the industry.
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What can youth and community members do to prepare themselves for the employment opportunities?
Youth and community members could consider formal training in the applicable careers that are of interest. They should reach out to their community representative for guidance.
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What career opportunities will there be and how will they be shared amongst the Nations?
One of the key project goals is to ensure members from each of the Nations are employed; how this is done has yet to be determined. Potential employment opportunities cannot be defined until the business plan is complete. You can start to research careers in forestry, business and construction. ​
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What are the plans to hear from the community? How can the community have their concerns and ideas heard?
Community members are to reach out to their appointed community representative to stay informed and share their ideas or concerns. They can also make sure to attend community engagement events and sign up for updates via email through this website.
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Why should we be excited about this?
This is a community driven initiative with a goal of increasing economic growth and employment opportunities. A great example is our neighbours and the Lake Seul project.
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Where is this initiative taking place? Where will the Company be?
The location of the actual Company will be decided by the four First Nations' Chiefs and their appointed community representative. The forestry area is ~800 000 hectares located on the traditional territory of the four First Nations.
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What is the goal of the Company?
This initiative aims to support economic development and employment in forest products manufacturing and woodlands operations while developing Indigenous stewardship of the boreal forest landscapes.
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I hear the terms Forestry Management License (FML) and Option License Area (OLA), what do they mean?
FML is a term used in the forestry industry throughout Manitoba; it is what the project is working to obtain for the four principal First Nations. OLA is the term the Government of Manitoba is using for the ~800 000 hectare area.
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What are we cutting, how much are we cutting and what are we doing with it?
A business model needs to be developed before this can be determined. We don't have the answers yet.
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How will reforestation be handled?
The four principal First Nations' Traditional Knowledge and values will be included in the planning, which includes reforestation. The goal is to develop Indigenous stewardship of the boreal forest landscapes. At minimum, Manitoba government's reforestation requirements will be met.
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What is forest management?
There are four basic categories to consider when managing a forest area. They are:
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Forest Planning: Summarizes the current state of the forest. It includes objectives, values and indicators of sustainable forest management. This will all be done through consultation with First Nations and other stakeholders.
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Harvesting: The process of cutting trees and delivering them to sawmills, pulp mills and other wood processing plants.
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Hauling: The process of removing forest products from its place of growth to a major deliver point.
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Silviculture: The practice of controlling the growth, composition and quality of the forests to meet the values and needs of the license. Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous values will play a large part in the decision-making process.
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What is a Forest Management Plan and who is developing it?
A Forest Management Plan includes the administrative, economic, land stewardship, legal, social, technical, ecological and scientific aspects of managing the boreal forests. This will be developed by the four principal First Nations with support from the Cokel Forestry subject matter specialists.
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What is being planned to protect the forest?
It is the province's job to protect the forest. If the Forestry Management License is achieved, the provincial government will implement protective measures for infestations, fire and climate control. Forest protection will be a part of the yearly plan and processes of the forest management agreement.