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Indigenous People

Weyerhaeuser is committed to developing and maintaining positive relationships with aboriginal communities wherever we operate.

For example, in Canada, where Weyerhaeuser is a steward of public land, we work to support and sustain the role of aboriginal peoples in Canadian forests. Our relationships with aboriginal communities include:

  • Contractual relationships for timber harvesting, forest silviculture, infrastructure development, and the supply of other goods and services
  • Involvement with and donations to aboriginal initiatives
  • Support for education to help develop employment skills
  • Employment opportunities
  • Mutual sharing of information and goals with a view to understanding and accommodation
  • Membership in the Forest Products Association of Canada, which works to strengthen aboriginal participation in Canada's forest sector through economic development initiatives and business investments, strong environmental stewardship and the creation of skill development opportunities, particularly targeted to First Nations youth.

Weyerhaeuser also works with key contractors and suppliers to develop awareness about respectful workplace behavior and encourages them to ensure their work forces reflect the populations where they operate.

Weyerhaeuser's policies address best practices for forest products companies' relationships with indigenous peoples, including:

  • Participation and consultation: Forest operations should include the meaningful participation of and consultation with local communities and indigenous peoples affected by those operations
  • Respect for the rights of indigenous peoples: Forest operations should respect indigenous peoples' rights, which may include land tenure, treaty rights, and rights to traditional or customary uses. Forest operations should recognize and support government-to-government processes to establish and reconcile these rights.
  • Capacity building: Forest operations should build the capacity of indigenous peoples to work in the industry sector and enhance the value of local resources through fair, equitable and mutually beneficial relationships.
  • Cultural identity: Forest operations should understand and acknowledge indigenous cultures, heritages and traditions and promote traditional knowledge and practices.
  • Just and fair dispute resolution: Forest operations should resolve conflicts through just and fair procedures.

   Sustainability in Action
Friend for life

Sharing. Caring. Kindness. Trust. Humility. Honesty.

These are some of the values Paul Leroux esteems in the Métis, one of Canada's three recognized aboriginal peoples (along with First Nations and Inuit). There are approximately 400,000 people in Canada who identify themselves as Métis (pronounced may-tee), meaning those who share the blood of both European settlers and Canada's original inhabitants.

The values Leroux regards highly in the Métis are similar to the ones Métis people value in him, a reason the president of local chapter in Grande Prairie, Alberta, awarded Leroux honorary Métis lifetime membership in 2011.

"Paul is only the second person to receive such an honor in my 20 years with the chapter," says Angie Crerar, president of the 4,000-member organization, "and it's well deserved. He's involved in our culture. He's been a good friend to us, as has Weyerhaeuser."

Leroux, a roads/environment manager for our Timberlands business, serves as aboriginal liaison on our eight-member Aboriginal-relations team in Alberta and operates from a heartfelt desire to support and encourage a people he respects.

"I have friends who are aboriginals, and I respect their culture and values," he says, "so when an opportunity surfaced for me to join the team, I jumped at it."

That was 15 years ago.

The team's main function is to implement our "Policy and Framework for Building Relationships" between aboriginal peoples and Weyerhaeuser. This policy is aimed not only at complying with aboriginal treaty rights regarding use of company-managed timberlands but also more broadly at honoring the company's commitment to diversity, inclusion and community.

"At Grande Prairie," says Leroux, "this commitment goes beyond hiring and training Métis and First Nations people to work in our operations. It includes funding and supporting with volunteer hours numerous projects and events benefiting them."

Leroux's work with the Grande Prairie Métis earned him a "Métis sash" (shown in the photo) to proudly wear to future Métis events. At the same time, Weyerhaeuser accepted a painting by Crerar's granddaughter to display in the Grande Prairie Timberlands reception area.

"Aboriginal people have nothing but respect for Paul and Weyerhaeuser," says Crerar. "I'm so grateful for the opportunities they give aboriginal people to advance their goals."

Last updated June 20, 2012