ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION in Deborah Mcgregor a Thesis
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FROM EXCLUSION TO CO-EXISTENCE: ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION IN ONTARIO FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING Deborah McGregor A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Forestry University of Toronto O Copyright by Deborah McGregor 2000 Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. nie WeIting(0ri Ottawa ON KIA ON4 KlAW Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé me licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sel1 reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfoxm, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othewise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. FROM EXCLUSION TO CO-EXEXENCE: ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION M ONTARIO FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Deborah McCregor, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto 2000 Aboriginal participation in environmental decision making is increasingly recognized as vital to the move towards greater sustainability, both globally and locally. This is mie in many areas of resource managemen&including Canada's forest induswy. Taking the lead in improving Aboriginal involvement in forest management is Ontario's Ministry of Nanual Resources, dong with various industry and First Nations representatives fkom around the province. The new Aboriginal consultation process is long overdue, given the province's histor~of excluding Native people fiom forestry, and represents a signrficant component of Ontario's forest management planning system. This research provides initial feedback on bis process and one of its most controversial components, "Native Values Mapping". The potentiai benefits of the new system are great, and include increased cooperation among govemment, industry and Fkt Nations in rnoving towards the comrnon goal of sustainable forest management. The research highlights ways in which gains are being achieved, as well as how barriers to such gains persis~The Aboriginal consultation and Native Values Mapping processes are affiected by Ontario's complex history of Nativehon-Native relations. The thesis descnies this historical contex&based on avaiiable literature, in order that the research outcomes can be bener understood. Over the summer of 1999,52 recent participants in the new forest management planning process were interviewed. Using the Grouaded Theory method of social research, interview responses were analyzed to identifL core variables which explaiu the variety of responses obtained. These core variables dso serve to identify key issues which underlie the challenges faced by al1 forest planning participants in the research. Two core variables were identificd in this study, the first being "WorId View, Spirituality and Native Values," while the second was "Relationships and Power". These variables explain how lack of understanding of different world views and unequal dismiution of power between Native and non-Native peoples are hurdIes to be overcorne if sustainable forest management is be achieved in Ontario. Finally, the ancient "Co-Existence Model" is suggested as a way of achieving coopcration between Native and non-Native peopIes in working toward this goal, whilc do~vingcultural identities to rcmain intact. In keeping with Aboriginal tradition, this thesis is in many ways the result of a tmly co~munal effort. Its writing would not have been possible without the blessing and assistance of a great many people. 1 have been and rernain inspired by the tireless work of so many Elders, leaders, cornmunity members, traditional peoples, scholars, wamors, grandmotherdgrandfathers, communities and nations who have corne before me to keep the traditions strong and keep Abonginal knowledge dive. This has been an invaluable GIFT, and one that 1 will always cherish. Their teachings and struggles continue to provide me with the enthusiasm needed to pursue the work they have started. This thesis is and will remain part of my lifelong work. My supe~sorycornmittee ensureci that my program was always chailenging (as did I). 1 gratefully acknowledge the continued support of Rorke Bryan (supervisor), Sylvia Van Krk, Krystyna Sieciechowicz and Andy Kenney, especially for their confidence in my work as being worthwhile and interesting. Included in this group are my extemal reviewers for whom 1 have the utmost respect: Professor Peter Homenuck of York University and Professor John Borrows fiom U of T's Faculty of Law. 1 sincerely appreciate their willingness to participate in my program and contribute to my understanding of the work 1 undertook. Over the years, various employers and colleagues have provided support in numerous ways. Harry Bombay, Peggy Smith and Janet Pronovost at the National Aboriginal Forestry Association, with whom 1 conducted TEK and forestry research during the course of my program, greatly inspired the topic and provided opportunities to engage peers in discussions about TEK and forest management planning. At Winnipeg's Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources the climate for working with Aboriginal knowledge was ideal and there 1 was provided with the opportunity to ponder, research, teach and discuss TEK. 1 thank the Chiefs of Ontario and the Six Nations Environmental Management Cornmittee for their support and the opportunity to work with TEK in practical community settings. At the University of Toronto, two special people have been instrumentai in providing their support over the "final mile" of compIeting the writing of the thesis: Anita Benedict, Coordinator of First Nations Houe, and Professor Keren Rice, Coordinator of the Abonginal Studies Program. Their advice and accommodation of my needs assisted me greatly, especially over the past eighteen months. U of T Aboriginal scholar Eileen Antone and Professor Laara Fitznor also provided advice and encouragement. The research would not have been possible without the cooperation and interest of the interviewees. 1 thank the various representatives fiom the Minîstry of Nahiral Resources, the forest industry and First Nations throughout the province who gave their time and shared their ideas and experiences. 1 received continued support throughout my prograrn fiom the Whitefish River First Nation, my home. Over the years other support has been provided by: the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program, the Clair Coates CFUW 7Sb Anniversary Fellowship, the University of Toronto Open Doctoral Fellowship, the Edward Elsworth Johnson Post-graduate Fellowship of Forestry, the Department of Forestry Fe110 wship, and the First Nations House bursary prograrn. During my time in the program my family has worked hard to support my various endeavours and has provided support in numerous ways. These have included offerhg encouragemenf patience and childcare assistance whenever possible. My mother, Marion, and father, Murray Sr., were always confident that 1 would try my best and therefore succeed. My brothers and sisters provided much assistance, especially over the last eighteen months. Leslie, Lissa, Steve, and Derek provided numerous hours of childcare and quality family time for my son, Hillary. Lonilee (who also provided resources), Murray Jr., and Darrell were dways interested and helpful. A special acknowledgment goes to my sister, Leslie, who assisted with childcare for many years as well with more technical aspects of my work. Much love to my family. With great love, 1 thank my partner, Steve, for everythhg he sacrificed to rnake the completion of this dissertation possible. His contribution is irnrneasurable. Steve handled al1 the logistical arrangements for research travel, and arranged a leave of absence fkom teaching to accompany me on those long road trips dong with our son Hillary (who had to be a very patient boy too many times to count). Steve also provided me with creative, critical and insightfbl discussion during the research and writing of the thesis. Steve spent many houn proofieading and editing the thesis while teaching full-time, and, most important of dl, being "Tapa" to two wonderful boys: Hillaxy and Arden. Steve believed in me. My son Hillary's patience must be acknowledged. He endured the long tiring road trips and the "quiet tirne" while 1 wrote my thesis, and was willing to spend lots of time with aunts and uncles, sometimes every day of the week. This program was as demanding on him as it was on me. HiIlary habeen a very loving, forgiving, thoughtful little boy throughout this process. Arden, the newest member of the family, was with me, literally, during every step of the final writing of the dissertation and at both defenses (the final being the most challenging). He has provided much inspiration tofinally complete the thesis. To my friends who have been both helpfül and kind: Alan Corbiere, Rob Innes, Ed Doolittle, and Mary Bernard. 1 send a special appreciation to Jacinta Shawanda who assisted with childcare immensely over the last year.