Crees demand forestry revocation

The Cree Grand Council is asking for Montreal based Resolute Forest Products to have its sustainable forestry certification revoked.

According to the Gazette, the Cree insist that Resolute is not following sustainable forestry practices in the 750 thousand hectare area of land north of Chibougaumou where their traplines are located.

Among the complaints, the Cree say Resolute didn’t obtain their consent for forestry operations, and that Resolute has been clear-cutting.

Resolute was certified for sustainable forestry management by Forestry Stewardship Council last year, but an audit found that the company had not obtained Cree consent after the Cree objected, and the company was given three months to correct the situation.

Last month, the certification was reconfirmed, despite Cree demands for the contrary.

Greenpeace has also published a 20 page report which accuses Resolute of problematic relationships with first nations, unsustainable practices in the Boreal forest and making false claims about their green product line. 

Seth Kursman, spokesperson for Resolute, said the company will take the necessary steps to protect the reputation of the company, its employees and their customers.

Flickr Photo by: intdev

STORY WRITTEN BY: CATLIN SPENCER