FROM ACTION TO FACTS- Laura Cortes

 

In the absence of evidence of good sustainability practices in the logging process, the First Nation in Manitoba has requested that they be consulted and informed of Louisiana-Pacific's logging practices. They need to know about the forest management practices of this company in the regions they live in as they have been affected. The concern lies in the lack of awareness about the sustainability of the logging process. Louisiana-Pacific did not present or share information on what kind of sustainable forestry initiatives have been implemented over the years. The community has claimed that there have been problems with the elk population and as a result, it has affected their ability to provide food for their families.

Louisiana-Pacific LP Building Solutions, states that sustainability for them means doing the right things today to build a bright future.  Their ESG program is based on fundamentals: Environmental; LP's future depends on the health of the planet, Social; with a diverse and inclusive workforce rooted in the communities where they work, and Governance; they embrace the highest principles of good governance. The company has five pillars of sustainability: its governance, its people, the environment, its products, and the community.

When analyzing the situation of some indigenous communities of Canada that are not being informed about the sustainability processes of the Louisiana-Pacific Company due to the logging that is affecting them in different ways, we found differences between the policies disseminated by the LP Company and what the indigenous communities feel. Presumably, many of these situations have led the indigenous communities to ask the Canadian government to take action. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released a report in 2015 that contained 94 recommendations. To address the legacy of residential schools and advance the reconciliation process in Canada, the TRC engaged Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The 2015 report included a "call to action" directed at specific audiences. The business sector and its leaders are urged to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Recommendation No. 92. The commission calls for meaningful consultation, viable long-term options for economic development initiatives, as well as business education and training in Indigenous peoples' history, intercultural competence, human rights, and anti-racism.

Federal employment equity legislation should lead action concerning requests from indigenous communities.  In this case, companies should report and analyze together with indigenous communities how their processes can be sustainable over time and seek not to affect the environment of these communities. The companies should seek the active participation of the community and listen and attend to their requests. The companies should respectfully approach the indigenous communities, compromising with each other to reach win-win processes for both parties without affecting the ecosystem, seeking sustainability over time, and acting under a circular economy.  The government could innovate and create programs to bring together companies and indigenous communities, where networks are made with a focus on collaboration, inclusion, and growth within the framework of respect for diversity. Supporting indigenous associations is an essential public challenge, and companies should also create actions that generate well-being and tranquility in the environments in which they operate.  To this end, all processes must be based on effective and inclusive communication.

To the extent that we all train and reflect on the needs and current situation of the indigenous communities of all countries, we will be able to be efficient and effective when contributing so that society improves more and more every day. Let us remember that the identity of indigenous people is linked to their forests; Taking care of their culture, and their ways of eating and living, guarantee taking care of the ecosystems. Understanding the different nuances in which each of us lives will help to implement local strategies and plans for the protection of ecosystems, respecting the diversity of each community. Therefore, the contribution of each one of us is vital to create a positive change.

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References

Hobson, B. (2022, Jan 25). First Nation in Manitoba says the province, logging company failed to consult. Retrieved from CTV News: https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/first-nation-in-manitoba-says-province-logging-company-failed-to-consult-1.5754154

LP Building Solutions - Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. (2022). OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY. Retrieved from LP Building Solutions - Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.: https://lpcorp.com/about-lp/sustainability

LP Building Solutions. (2022). SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2022. Retrieved from LP Building Solutions - Lousiana-Pacific Corporation: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://lpcorp.com/resources/product-literature/lp-corporate/lp-sustainability-report

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Retrieved from Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf