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| "The Creator has given us the responsibility to protect the lands on which we were placed. We are to take care of and nurture everything that the Creator has given as a trust and duty to future generations of Pikangikum people.” - From Pikangikum People Sustaining Our Livelihood on the Land |
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Community-Based Land Use Planning:
Structure
Planning for the Whitefeather Forest Initiative is being led by our First Nation and guided by a Steering Group. This Steering Group brings issues as required to the First Nation Council and/or to Community Assemblies. On a day-to-day basis, the Initiative is coordinated by the President of the Whitefeather Forest Management Corporation, Alex Peters. He works with a Resource Team that provides technical support under guidance given by the Steering Group.
To deal with matters related to provincial planning requirements, the First Nation participates with the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) in a Strategic Action Planning (SAP) process. The MNR participation occurs within the broader context of the supporting policy framework of the Northern Boreal Initiative.
Steering Group
 The core of the day-to-day planning responsibilities and guidance of our Whitefeather Forest Initiative rests with the Whitefeather Forest Initiative Steering Group, which is led by the most esteemed Elders (Kitchi’aa aayug) of Pikangikum. Youth from our community also participate in the Steering Group. The Steering Group membership gathers in Pikangikum as required to discuss important planning issues, concepts and strategies, and to provide regular input guiding various activities being undertaken to develop the Whitefeather Forest Initiative.
 Members of the Steering Group also participate in planning activities outside of our community. Representatives of the group always attend Strategic Action Planning meetings and dialogue meetings with interested parties. As well, they are vital participants in “fact-finding” missions in support of the Whitefeather Forest Initiative. For example, twenty members of the Steering Group, including youth, joined ten other youth from Pikangikum on a trip to visit the Menominee Tribe in Wisconsin and their world-renowned forestry operation.
Community Assemblies
In the decision-making that guides the Whitefeather Forest Initiative the people of Pikangikum are the ultimate decision-makers. This happens through our customary Community Assembly process (Onaashoowaywinaniwung). Community Assemblies are convened on the initiative of Elders and other members to discuss issues and events of vital importance to Pikangikum people.
These assemblies provide key strategic direction to the Chief and Council of Pikangikum. Community Assemblies are convened when deemed necessary by our Elders or our people or our Council to establish consensus on major decisions moving forward the Whitefeather Forest Initiative.
Band Council
Planning for the Whitefeather Forest Initiative is being led by our First Nation through a Steering Group. This Steering Group brings issues as required to the Band Council and/or to Community Assemblies. On a day-to-day basis, the Initiative is coordinated by the President of the Whitefeather Forest Management Corporation, Alex Peters. He works with a Resource Team that provides technical support to realize direction given by the Steering Group.
To deal with matters related to provincial planning requirements, the First Nation participates with the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) in a Strategic Action Planning (SAP) process. The MNR participation occurs within the broader context of the supporting policy framework of the Northern Boreal Initiative.
Technical Resource Team
The Whitefeather Forest Initiative Technical Resource Team is led by Alex Peters, the President of Whitefeather Forest Management Corporation, and includes a variety of technical support providers as required by the Initiative. The Technical Resource Team organizes and carries out the day-to-day planning activities associated with the Whitefeather Forest Initiative under the direction of the Steering Group. It facilitates Strategic Action Planning work. It organizes meetings with other First Nations. It generates ideas to facilitate and support the Whitefeather Forest Initiative.
The Technical Resource Team has access to a range of capacities through staff in Pikangikum and our Initiative partnerships as follows:
- The Pikangikum Community Research Team which has developed a range of capacities to carry out community-based research including the documentation of Indigenous Knowledge and GIS mapping
- The partnership of Pikangikum with The Taiga Institute that provides cross-cultural facilitation, specialized research and Community Economic Development and planning capacities requested by Pikangikum
- Further partnerships with the research community that have coalesced into the Whitefeather Forest Research Cooperative. Signatories to this cooperative include University of Manitoba, Lakehead University and University of Winnipeg and Sault College.
MNR
 Ontario is participating in our community planning process through the Ministry of Natural Resources involvement in the Strategic Action Planning process and in the Land Use Planning Advisory Group.
Guided by its Northern Boreal Initiative supporting policy frameworking the MNR is providing provincial agency support for sustainable development opportunities through an orderly approach; while ensuring Ontario’s social, economic, and environmental responsibilities are met, and specifically that policy and legislation requirements are met.
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