Indigenous forestry in Manitoba, Canada: Policy barriers and enablers

Indigenous groups across Canada continue to regain sovereignty over their traditional territories and this research focuses on their involvement in Manitoba’s forest sector. A large proportion of First Nations in Manitoba are forest-based, and there is a revitalized opportunity and vigor for these communities to build successful and sustainable forestry initiatives. This paper identifies the barriers and enablers that Indigenous groups can experience with respect to federal and provincial forest policies. A policy scan was employed to determine impactful federal and provincial policies, address gaps in the policy framework and provide recommendations for future policy makers and users. Semi-structured interviews with members of three First Nations and Indigenous forestry experts shed light on the enablers of and barriers to Indigenous forestry prospects in Manitoba. Given the historical lack of Indigenous inclusion in Manitoba’s forest policy regime, the success of Indigenous involvement in the forest sector will hinge on increased collaboration with governments and industry, enhanced sharing of revenue from forest resources, provincial reform of forestry law and policy that do not explicitly address Indigenous rights and interests, and funding programs that address the economic and logistical barriers associated with developing Indigenous forestry initiatives.