Aboriginal Peoples and Forest Lands in Canada ed. by D.B. Tindall, Ronald L. Trosper, and Pamela Perreault (review)

The four main themes in this collection of papers about forests and Aboriginal people in Canada are: history, differing perspectives, traditional ecological knowledge, and partnerships. Following an Introduction by D.B. Tindall and Ronald Trosper, these themes form the structure for the remaining seventeen chapters. Ken Coates and Keith Thor Carlson open the historical section with an overview of the stages of contact and settlement in British Columbia with examples of conflict, compromise, and accommodation. James S. Frideres, making use of a colonial settler society model, draws upon historical and social data on the place of Aboriginal peoples in Canadian society. Other chapters in the section on history cover treaty negotiations in British Columbia and direct action by Aboriginal groups. The case for incorporation of Aboriginal perspectives on land use in sustainable forest management is made in the three chapters in the next part, which is labelled ‘Differing Visions’. A relativist standpoint and disclaimers in the footnotes of the chapter by Marc G. Stevenson undermine the logic of his argument but its conclusions about sustainability and the essential requirement of collaboration are consistent with the main arguments in the book. A historical chapter by Brian Chisholm opens part four, which focuses on traditional ecological knowledge. Andrew Mason’s contribution, on cultural resource management, takes the UK model of archaeological trusts as an example of good practice. The final and longest section of the book, on collaborative partnerships, comprises six chapters about recent developments in British Columbia. The opening chapter to this section by Norman Dale – a professional mediator and ecologist – examines attempts at collaborative resolution to conflicts between forestry companies, First Nations, and others over logging in British Columbia. Aspects of co-management in Clayoquot Sound and Gwaii Haanas, and developments in British Columbia government policy are also covered in this part of the book. As a collection, Aboriginal Peoples and Forest Lands in Canada provides detailed information about aspects of government policy, court cases, First Nations’ perspectives, and collaborative action on forestry in British Columbia. The contributions include detailed observations from participants and mediators as well as academics. There is a narrower focus and less differentiation than readers might expect from the title however. Almost all of the chapters are about one province (BC). Although an estimated 56 per cent of Aboriginal people live in urban areas and some First Nations have forest education schemes for their urban members, there is no discussion of the urban Aboriginal population. There are almost no references to the Métis and there is no analysis of the role of women or gender in Aboriginal work in forests. Many of the accounts in this book are framed by a settler-colonial perspective. Recent legislative changes and the operations of logging companies owned by First Nations suggest that discussions of neoliberalism and corporate social responsibility would help to develop understanding of the current situation of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.