AN EXPERIMENT IN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION OF PUBLIC FOREST MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF MISTIK MANAGEMENT LTD., SASKATCHEWAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Public involvement (PI) is an important part of Canada's public forest lands management. Over the past 30 years government decentralisation as well as changing societal expectations and values for forest resources have led to greater PI legislation, policies and actions at both the provincial and federal levels. Recent experience demonstrates that there are significant benefits as well as a number of concerns associated with these initiatives as the requirement to conduct PI, previously the realm of government, is now being devolved to the forest industry. Mistik Management Ltd. is a 50% Aboriginal-owned forestry company operating in the boreal forest of Northwestern Saskatchewan. Over the past decade, Mistik has undertaken a unique and remarkably successful PI process of ‘co-management’ with nine local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. Major successes include: • increased trust among managers and stakeholders • reduction of forest-based conflict • community capacity building and employment, and • incorporation of traditional knowledge in forest planning and management. Concerns with the process include: • a lack of government support • the absence of independent and long-term funding, and • questions as to whether all stakeholders are participating. Despite these concerns, Mistik provides a remarkable case study of industry-driven PI that is arguably unparalleled in Canada. Key lessons learned can be applied to community-based management systems in other countries and with other forest types.