Call made for Indigenous Forestry Initiative proposals to advance Canada’s bioeconomy

The next call for proposals for the Canadian government’s Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) has been made by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The IFI supports Indigenous participation in forestry-related opportunities, businesses, careers and governance.

“Indigenous peoples are taking economic development into their own hands and succeeding,” Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan Jr. said. “The Indigenous Forestry Initiative supports Indigenous forestry workers and businesses with new opportunities to expand operations and grow while bringing local benefits to their communities.”

Canada’s bioeconomy is expected to move forward through investments in successful projects, which will also create opportunities for increased Indigenous participation in the forest sector and create and maintain jobs in Indigenous communities across the country. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

Investment in Indigenous participation in the forest sector helps advance Indigenous self-determination, closes socio-economic gaps and provides greener solutions that tackle climate change and transform to a low-carbon economy.

Value, both economically and spiritually, is provided to Indigenous communities by the forest sector.