OFIA Aboriginal Initiatives

Statement of Intent

The member companies of the Ontario Forest Industries Association are committed to cooperate with aboriginal communities as they build their economies and establish a climate that supports self-reliance, entrepreneurship, investment, economic growth, long-term job creation and the protection of forest-based aboriginal values through the development of mutually beneficial agreements with local aboriginal communities. Through this initiative, the Association understands the need to communicate and co-operate with aboriginal people and the governments of Ontario and Canada.

Principles
Nothing in this initiative shall abrogate or derogate from the constitutional right of aboriginals.


Issues of self-government, treaty rights, land claims or constitutional rights cannot be resolved at the forest sector level and these issues should not impede meaningful economic development agreements between forest industry companies and aboriginal communities.


A thriving Ontario forest industry within which the aboriginal economy prospers is important to all Ontarians.


Ontario’s forests are among the best managed forests in the world and can be even better managed with the increased participation of aboriginals in forest management planning and operations.


Member companies of the OFIA and aboriginal communities possess valuable forest related knowledge that should be shared and cooperatively employed.


Member companies of the OFIA respect the need for aboriginals to achieve greater participation in decision-making as it relates to the well being of their communities.


Member companies of the OFIA will work with aboriginal communities to augment their industry and business expertise where required.


The member companies of the OFIA will work with aboriginals and government to increase the self-reliance of aboriginal communities through forest based economic development.


Nothing in this initiative shall derogate from the decision-making authority of local aboriginal communities and individual member companies.


The industry, aboriginals and government all share responsibility and accountability for outcomes.


The member companies must recognize the accountability of aboriginal leaders to their communities, and aboriginals must recognize the accountability of the member companies to their shareholders.


Both parties must exercise best efforts to assist the other in meeting their accountabilities when developing agreements.


The OFIA, government and aboriginal leaders must take all reasonable measures to assist local communities and member companies to develop mutually beneficial economic agreements.


The success of this initiative depends on cooperation (not confrontation) and requires each of the parties to secure the cooperation of those they represent.