Nitaskinan, Quebec – September 23, 2014 – Intended as the natural next step and logical continuation of its September 8, 2014 declaration of sovereignty, the Atikamekw (indigenous inhabitants of the upper Saint-Maurice River valley of Quebec) announced today that no future forestry operations will be permitted on its territory without the securing of its full consent.
The Atikamekw are seeking to use the auditing period currently underway for the re-registration of companies operating on Atikamekw Opitciwan territory to the Forestry Management Systems (as required by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),) to ensure that no company currently being audited obtain a renewal of said certification without the observance of Atikamekw rights and the adequate protection of Atikamekw ancestral territory.
“We never agreed nor gave our consent to the massive exploitation of the forest resources on our territory. Should forestry companies wish to exploit the resources that belong to us by right, they are required to contact us and secure our consent, ” said Chef Christian Awashish.
This position is not without precedent, as it corresponds directly to one of the ten Principles & Criteria set out by the FSC in Canada for the obtaining and maintenance of such accreditation.
In its third Principle, the FSC stipulates that “the legal and customary rights of indigenous peoples to own, use and manage their lands, territories and resources shall be recognized and respected,” providing for the implementation and rigorous enforcement of the international concept of “free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples” to its forest management standards. Principles six and nine require that adequate protection also be assured to certified territory, older sections of forest and certain species of wild animals. The Atikamekw Opitciwan territory has for decades endured the colossal impact of the forest industry without the protection of an adequate conservation plan.
In consequence, Chief Christian Awashish and the Opitciwan Council are calling for the suspension of FSC certification for companies currently operating on Nitaskinan, and in particular, that belonging to the following companies:
• Resolute Forest Products (Comtois and Senneterre)
· Kruger (Gerard Crete et fils inc., St-Roch-de-Mekinac and Industries Parent inc.)
• Tembec (Senneterre)
• Gestion forestière de St-Maurice
• Barette Chapais
• Chantier Chibougamau
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international certification and labeling system dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible development, socially beneficial and economically prosperous of the world’s forests. The FSC sets standards for forest certification and offers a credible assurance to purchasers of wood and paper. The FSC offers the only forest certification system that requires the consent of local indigenous populations with the aim of protecting their rights on public and private land at the same time. FSC requirements for forest development include an entire section devoted to Aboriginal rights (Principle 3), and this principle is widely recognized and respected when it comes to indigenous rights.