In Canada, there are 240 First Nations with more than 1,000 hectares of forest on their reserves, and about 1,000 reserves that each contain at least 20 forested hectares. All of these woodlands have potential for forestry development.

This booklet sets Aboriginal forestry development in the context of modern forestry, that is, forestry which focuses on preserving the woodland environment and improving all its resources not just timber production. It is forestry that balances the needs of all who use the woodlands; as such, it is in harmony with Aboriginal values.

The following text describes forest management on reserve, the activities involved in carrying out management plans and the income, employment and skills developed by these activities. It owes much to the publication, Managing Your Woodland: A Non-Forester's Guide to Small Scale Forestry in British Columbia¹ , and to the supplementary explanations provided by the Aboriginal Liaison Officers of the Canadian Forest Service across Canada who gave generously of their time.

This is one booklet in the series, Building a Future: An Overview of Resource Development on Reserves. The series was prepared by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) in response to First Nations' requests for information on the beneficial use of their natural resources. Designed as information handbooks, each looks at a different resource from the point of view of a First Nation community. Is development a choice? If so, what is the best way to plan and benefit from that development?

The information provided here is useful for First Nation councils whether they intend to manage forestry development themselves, or delegate that responsibility to First Nation corporations, joint-venture companies or non-Native persons licensed to cut or purchase timber from a reserve.

¹ This publication was prepared under the Canada-British Columbia Partnership Agreement on Forest Resource Development and updated and reprinted in 1992. It has been used here with the kind permission of the British Columbia Regional Office of the Canadian ForestService of Natural Resources Canada.