National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canada’s history, culture, and natural environments. As we continue learning, urban forestry is focused on respecting and integrating Indigenous perspectives, aligned with the principles set out by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
The SFI’s Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard plays a critical role in guiding urban forest management globally. Among the 16 objectives outlined in the standard, two focus specifically on Indigenous inclusion:
Objective 1, which emphasizes community and Indigenous participation, and
Objective 15, which addresses legal compliance with Indigenous rights.
These objectives offer a valuable framework for ensuring that rights of Indigenous communities are embedded in forestry efforts.
Objective 1: Community, People, and Indigenous Participation
Objective 1 stresses the importance of including Indigenous perspectives in forest management. It encourages the active participation of Indigenous peoples in urban forestry decision-making, ensuring that traditional knowledge and cultural values are integrated into planning and management processes. The protection of culturally significant forest sites is a key performance measure under this objective. Indigenous communities have deep spiritual and historical connections to certain landscapes, and recognizing these sites is essential to preserving Indigenous heritage.
Objective 15: Legal and Regulatory Compliance Including Indigenous Rights
Objective 15 focuses on compliance with Indigenous rights and relevant legal frameworks. It highlights the importance of adhering to the principles set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Adopted in 2007, UNDRIP affirms Indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination, control over traditional lands, and the preservation of their cultural practices. Urban forestry projects should value, respect and prioritize these rights, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, treaties, and agreements that support Indigenous sovereignty and rights.
The weaving of Indigenous perspectives in urban forestry planning helps build a foundation for future reconciliation and fosters stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
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