INDIGENOUS RELATIONS

SFI is committed to building and promoting forest-focused collaborations rooted in recognition and respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and traditional knowledge.

We recognize that Indigenous Peoples are essential partners in any forest-focused collaboration and that their full participation will better enable us to collectively advance forest sustainability. Together, we can create a world that values and benefits from sustainably managed forests.

Learn more about SFI’s Indigenous Relations commitment.

Learn more about SFI’s Indigenous Relations programs

SFI maintains a flexible, adaptive approach to forest-focused community investment that responds to the evolving interests and priorities of our Indigenous community partners.

Explore an interactive map featuring all the Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led businesses that have leveraged SFI programs to achieve their goals (grey dots), as well as map highlights (brightly colored dots) with examples of how select Indigenous communities have partnered with SFI.

Meet SFI’s Indigenous Relations team

Paul Robitaille

Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations

Paul leads the growth and development of SFI’s Indigenous Relations policies, programs and partnerships across North America. He is a Métis Nation citizen with extensive experience advancing Indigenous rights recognition, relationship building and socioeconomic development.

Jeffrey Ross

Director, Indigenous Forest Certification

Jeffrey works to expand SFI certification among Indigenous communities and businesses and increase Indigenous participation in all our programs. SFI relies on his expertise to develop Indigenous relations resources and training programs.

Elaina Cox

Indigenous Relations Coordinator

Elaina focuses on expanding Indigenous and youth participation in our programs and on collaborating with internal teams to integrate Indigenous perspectives and traditional knowledge across all of SFI’s work. She also contributes to storytelling initiatives that highlight innovative Indigenous engagement with SFI.

Mira Williamson

Senior Manager, Communications

Mira elevates the impact that SFI and PLT Canada programs have on people, communities, and forests. She promotes forest-focused collaborations with communications that help young adults and employers learn about PLT Canada’s work and understand its value in supporting a diverse and resilient Green Jobs workforce.

Kelvin Braun

Coordinator, Graphic Design & Media

Kelvin creates social media communications, graphic design and video assets, and supports Indigenous relations communications. Kelvin is Cree, born in Winnipeg, with familial roots in Opaskwayak Cree Nation. As a recent graduate of the University of Calgary, he brings a sense of mission and passion for sustainability.

CONNECT AND PARTNER WITH SFI

Working together is critical to ensuring the sustainability of our planet. Whether you are interested in certifying your forestlands, collaborating with SFI towards conservation or community grant projects, or furthering green careers, education or training programs in your community, SFI offers programs and services designed to advance communities’ forest-focused interests in ways that work best for them.

Connect with us! There are many ways the Sustainable Forestry Initiative can partner with and support you. Please indicate your areas of interest in partnering with SFI by contacting a member of our Indigenous Relations Team or selecting the button below to use our Contact Form to learn more.

CONNECT WITH US