• Pikangikum First Nation developed a draft Terms of Reference to guide the planning process for the Whitefeather Forest Planning Area. It was presented to MNR staff and they provided comments and suggestions on it. We then worked cooperatively through the draft Terms of Reference with the MNR to establish consensus on its final contents. We also worked cooperatively with MNR to agree on a supplementary Terms of Reference to guide planning for the Adjacent Areas.
  
  
• Pikangikum gathered a variety of background information to prepare for Community Based Land Use Planning. This process has been ongoing and as information is gathered it is used to facilitate various planning tasks. Gathering information to support the Whitefeather Forest Initiative has emphasized Indigenous Knowledge. We have also worked with our partners, including OMNR, to gather specialized biophysical data and broader-scale information to support planning activities.
  
  
• Pikangikum carried out dialogue with interested parties in the early developmental stages of the Whitefeather Forest Initiative. This dialogue reflected our commitment to work on the basis of full and open dialogue especially with interested parties who have approached us regarding various issues and opportunities.
  
  
• Pikangikum First Nation initiated a broader public “Open House” dialogue process. This process has provided all members of the public with the opportunity to provide information and input into our planning process. At our Open Houses we work cooperatively with MNR to present information. We are taking the lead role in presenting information for the Whitefeather Forest Planning Area. MNR is taking the lead role in presenting information for the Adjacent Areas.
  
  
• The Terms of Reference for planning were presented at our first Open House in 2003. Following the first Open House, the information and views gathered were used in our community planning deliberations along with other background information. In these deliberations, we identified potential opportunities for various new land uses and we examined various issues related to them. This process led to the development of an Opportunities document. MNR has taken the lead role on this process for the Adjacent Areas and has led the development of documentation for the Adjacent Areas.
  
  
• The documentation was presented at a second Open House in 2004. All information and input from the second Open House was carefully recorded for use in further planning deliberations.
  
  
• Following the second Open House, Pikangikum returned again to internal deliberations, cooperative Strategic Action Planning with MNR and continued dialogue with interested parties and our partners. We led the preparation of a draft Land Use Strategy for the Whitefeather Forest Planning Area for presentation at a third Open House. MNR led the preparation of draft Land Use Strategy documentation for the Adjacent Areas. We have seamlessly integrated our work throughout this process.
  
  
• The draft Land Use Strategy was presented at a third Open House in 2005. All input and information received at and following the third Open House was carefully recorded and given full consideration in the completion of the Land Use Strategy.
  
  
• A ceremony was held in Pikangikum in June of 2006 to celebrate completion of “Keeping the Land” – the Whitefeather Forest Land Use Strategy. This Strategy is now available to the public for inspection.
  

Throughout our Community-Based Land Use Planning process, we have continued with our Strategic Action Planning cooperation with MNR to deal with shared issues. This cooperation has ensured that local and broader scale issues and responsibilities are fully addressed and harmonized throughout the planning process. We have learned much from the MNR about their approach to broader scale issues such as information regarding sustaining Woodland Caribou on the land. In turn, MNR has learned much about how our Indigenous Knowledge will contribute to ensuring thriving populations of Woodland Caribou remain both within the Whitefeather Forest and beyond. The innovations in resource stewardship we are developing will achieve international acclaim.

The completed Land Use Strategy will guide the ongoing development of the Whitefeather Forest Initiative is a living document. It reflects our goals of dialogue, cooperation and consensus-building between Pikangikum First Nation, Ontario, our neighbouring First Nations, interested parties and our various partners. It will guide our work to establish opportunities and partnerships that support the economic renewal of our community and the highest standards of natural resource management associated with the Whitefeather Forest Initiative. As a result of our work, environmental and economic benefits will flow out to the larger region, to the Province of Ontario and the wider world.

Background Maps