Forest Management Certification Assessment Report for - Rainforest ...

FSC PrincipleP3 – IndigenousPeoples’ RightsP3 – IndigenousPeoples’ RightsComments from InterestedPartiesachievement of the standards (i.e.grazing, oil and gas, hard rock miningand commercial recreation).• Land claims have not been settled.(non-Ktunaxa comment)• Indigenous people of the EastKootenays do not control forestmanagement. (non-Ktunaxacomment)• Consultation has been inadequate.(band comment)• Forest management, e.g. reliance onclearcut, is threatening the resourcesof indigenous people. (non-Ktunaxacomment)• Indigenous people are not properlycompensated for their traditionalknowledge. (non-Ktunaxa comment)Assessment Team ResponseHCVF areas are identified as twoactivities under tenure to others that canundermine Tembec’s ability to achievethe management objectives. CAR 4/06is imposed.• The FSC standard does not require that“land claims” be settled in order for thelegal and customary rights ofindigenous people to be respected. Thisis a legal issue of the Crown, not offorestry companies. Tembec isdemonstrating respect for aboriginalrights through a signed Protocol andConsultation & Accommodationagreement. Ktunaxa have not indicatedthat their rights are not being respected.Therefore, there is no nonconformance.• Processes are being jointly developedbetween Tembec and the KNC that willensure that indigenous people havemeaningful input into Tembec’s forestmanagement activities in the Ktunaxaterritory. Additional work on jointmanagement and consultation isrequired at the band level. CAR 5/06has been imposed.• Ktunaxa have expressed generalconcerns about harvest levels and theimpact of harvesting on the land, buthave not reported any specific impactsor damage to their resources. Not allresource interests have beencommunicated to Tembec, but this willincrease with the completion of theKtunaxa land use plan and traditionaluse study. Strategies do need to bedeveloped to address the general valuesthat have already been articulated (e.g.wildlife, cultural heritage, fisheries andplants and grasses). CAR 6/06 has beenimposed.• Ktunaxa report that they have notshared any traditional knowledge withTembec that would requirecompensation.Page 17 of 89