First Nations Forestry Program

Forestry-based activities on and off-reserve are expected to provide initial major economic opportunities for First Nation communities. The First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP) is a national program designed to assist First Nations to build capacity and assume control of the management of their forest resources, to establish partnerships with provinces and industry, and to actively participate in off-reserve forestry and other economic development opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible recipients for contributions will be duly elected Indian band councils and tribal councils representing Indian bands, First Nation organizations and any other First Nation group or company involved in improving economic conditions in status Indian communities who can contribute to the objectives of the First Nations Forestry Program.

Summary

The FNFP supports First Nations in their pursuit of economic self-sufficiency through various forest-related initiatives. The First Nations Forestry Program has four objectives:

• enhance the capacity of First Nations to sustainably manage their forest lands;
• enhance the capacity of First Nations to operate and participate in forest-based development opportunities and their benefits;
• advance the knowledge of First Nations in sustainable forest management and forest-based development; and
• enhance the institutional capacity of First Nations at the provincial and territorial level to support their participation in the forest-based economy.  

Elements of Funding Agreements
All approved projects are implemented through formal contribution agreements between the Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, and First Nations in all provinces and territories, except Nunavut.

How Do I Apply?
The First Nations Forestry Program is administered and managed by the National Management Committee. The management and delivery of the First Nations Forestry Program in each province and territory is the responsibility of provincial and territorial management committees. These committees are responsible for receiving and approving project proposals from Indian band councils and tribal councils representing Indian bands, and First Nation organizations and other First Nation group or company involved in improving economic conditions in status Indian communities.

If you are interested in submitting a project proposal and would like further details on eligibility, application guidelines, activities supported, or screening criteria, please contact the program representative for your province or territory, listed below. A listing of national projects that are either completed or currently in progress is also available.

Quebec Contact(s):
Mr. Alain Dubois
Canadian Forest Service
Natural Resources Canada
1055 P.E.P.S. Street
P.O. Box 3800
Sainte-Foy, Quebec  G1V 4C7
Telephone: 418-648-7134
E-mail: adubois@nrcan.gc.ca

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National Contact(s):
Mr. Dave Crevier
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 1745A
Terrasses de la Chaudière
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0H4
Telephone: (819) 953-9557
Fax: (819) 953-3323
E-mail: Info@fnfp.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

Mr. Jack Smyth
Chief, Forestry Development and Aboriginal Affairs
Canadian Forest Service
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, Sir William Logan Building, 7th floor
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0E4
Telephone: (613) 947-7380
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-996-4397
E-mail: Info@fnfp.gc.ca