1 Aboriginal Forestry Initiative Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service Whitehorse, March 15, 2016 Jordan Wolfe, Senior Economist Strategic Analysis and Policy Development Division

2 The Aboriginal Forestry Initiative  The Aboriginal Forestry Initiative (AFI) is a funding program that supports forestry-based economic development for Indigenous communities across Canada.  Through the Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has been supporting Indigenous economic development programming via the forest sector for +20 years.  The Aboriginal Forestry Initiative carries on that effort today.

3 AFI Objectives  With a focus on economic development, the AFI looks to:  Increase Indigenous community participation in the sustainable development of natural resources by supporting knowledge creation, training and capacity development; and  Create partnerships between Indigenous communities and organizations and industry, governments and civil society.

4 AFI Thematic Areas  Four thematic areas guide AFI programming:  Biomass / Bioenergy  Value-Added Wood Products  Services to Government / Industry  Optimizing Tenure  Integrated Natural Resource Development: adopting an approach that looks for shared opportunities across the forest and other natural resource sectors.

5 AFI – Funding  In addition to funds leveraged from PT govts, industry and proponents, funding for AFI projects is provided via:  ~$1 million per year contribution by the CFS; and  Additional financial support sourced through the Strategic Partnerships Initiative ($2.6M in ), a collaboration of 15 federal departments and agencies created in 2010 to support Indigenous participation in development projects. Since 2011, AFI has provided over $10M in funding to 50 projects across the country in over 100 Indigenous communities

6 AFI – Eligible Recipients  Indigenous communities and organisations (non-profit or for-profit)  Non-Indigenous organisations (non-profit) working with an Indigenous partner to facilitate economic development in an Indigenous community

7 AFI – Prioritizes Projects that:  Have the greatest ec-dev potential (e.g. job and business creation)  Have more than one partner / include community or non-govt funding  Impact multiple communities  Develop transferable skills  Have a women or youth focus  Are part of a multi-year project

8 AFI Biomass / Bioenergy  Forest biomass / bioenergy is a thematic priority of the AFI due to its:  Cost Competitiveness: in many instances, forest biomass provides a cost-competitive energy alternative for remote communities.  Environmental Sustainability: improved environmental performance through substitution of fossil fuels with cleaner burning and renewable forest bio-fuels, derived from sustainably managed and harvested forests.  Local Economic Development: local forestry / feedstock activities and ongoing operation and maintenance of bioenergy facilities creates jobs and wealth at the local level.

9 AFI Biomass / Bioenergy Project Examples Northern Biomass Initiative: AFI has been able to increase its northern biomass programming by leveraging $3M in INAC Strategic Partnerships Initiative funding ( to ). NWT – South Slave Regional Bio-Economy Development:  GNWT released Biomass Energy Strategies in 2010 and  AFI involved early to support Indigenous communities in Fort Providence and Fort Resolution with funding for: engagement activities, forest inventories; harvest plans; wood yard and sawmill facilities support; supply agreement negotiations; burned wood assessments; and completion of infrastructure and workforce strategies.  Digaa Enterprises (Deh Gah Gotie Dene Council and Métis Local 57, Fort Providence) and Timberworks (Deninu K’ue First Nation and Métis Council Local 53, Fort Resolution) now hold Forest Management Agreements (Tenure) for forested areas around their communities.  Currently working on business establishment and preparations for initial harvest.

10 AFI Biomass / Bioenergy Project Examples Labrador – Knowledge Development and Early-Stage Assessments:  Nunatsiavut Coastal Communities: AFI programming this year includes working with the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies to create an action plan and to assess the feasibility and design of an Indigenous-owned and operated wood fuel transportation system along coastal Labrador.  Home biomass heating assessments and evaluation of high-efficiency wood stove models in Nunatsiavut communities.  NunatuKavut – Early stage assessment of bioenergy production and forest product development in NunatuKavut communities through: biomass supply & demand feasibility study; community engagement workshop; and engaging Nalcor and the provincial government on bioenergy possibilities and Muskrat Falls right of way timber access.  Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation – Supported on-the-job sawmill training for community members and PPE purchase and training.

11 AFI Biomass / Bioenergy Project Examples  Whitesand First Nation (ON): supporting establishment of a FN-owned and operated pellet and bioenergy facility by: securing wood supply (tenure), business planning, engineering design, and environmental permitting.  Work this fiscal has focussed on negotiating power supply agreements with Ontario Power, securing capital funding and loan guarantees, and building local capacity (job shadowing) on tenure, forest management, and operations planning.  Métis communities of Île-à-la-Crosse and Buffalo Narrows (SK): support production of a technical analysis, engineering reports, and cost estimates to convert multiple heating systems to locally supplied wood- biomass district heating systems.

12 AFI – Project Process & Timelines  While the AFI does not have a formal call for proposals, most funding decisions are made by the AFI Directors Committee between Jan-March.  The first step for accessing AFI support is to contact an AFI Coordinator – who are available year-round to discuss project ideas.  The Coordinator can advise you on funding availability and assist in developing a project proposal for consideration by the AFI Directors Committee.

13 AFI – Contact Info  If you are interested in learning more about the AFI, our programming, or have potential project ideas that you would like to discuss, please:  Schedule a time with Maureen and I today or tomorrow to discuss opportunities;  Contact our Yukon Regional Coordinator down the line: Maureen Scott: / ;  Or visit the AFI website – google “Aboriginal Forestry Initiative” ( programs/13125). programs/13125

14 Thank You Questions / Comments?