Forestry

Safeguarding the Cree traditional way of life through adapted forestry management, consultation, and sustainable stewardship of our forests.

The Forestry Department implements the Adapted Forestry Regime set out in the Paix des Braves Agreement, working with Cree communities, Tallymen, and land users to protect the Cree traditional way of life across the forested traplines of Eeyou Istchee.

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Our Mandate

The Forestry Department’s mandate is to implement the provisions of the Adapted Forestry Regime set out in the Paix des Braves Agreement. In its broadest terms, the regime is designed to:

  • Provide adaptations to the forestry law to better take into account the Cree traditional way of life;
  • Provide greater integration of concerns relating to sustainable development;
  • Provide participation, in the form of consultation, for the Crees in the various forestry planning and management processes.

In addition to these goals, the 2002 and 2015 Baril-Moses Agreements extend this regime to Mistissini and Ouje-Bougoumou traplines east of the height of land. The Cree-Quebec Governance Agreement also provides for the establishment of a collaborative forest management regime over Category II lands.

Our Work

The Department works across Eeyou Istchee and in Cree communities impacted by forestry — Waswanipi, Mistissini, Ouje-Bougoumou, Nemaska, and Waskaganish — to administer consultations, monitor forestry operations, and coordinate local Joint Working Groups. Our work includes forestry planning, field monitoring, wildlife and habitat protection, GIS and data management, and the administration of the Cree Traditional Activities Enhancement Program.

The Department also administers the Cree Traditional Activities Enhancement Program, which funds local projects to mitigate the impact of forestry on affected land users. Although not part of the Paix des Braves Agreement, this program is jointly funded through an agreement with Quebec and has been renewed three times since 2005.

Our Responsibilities

  • Implement the Adapted Forestry Regime under the Paix des Braves Agreement.
  • Extend the regime to Mistissini and Ouje-Bougoumou traplines east of the height of land under the 2002 and 2015 Baril-Moses Agreements.
  • Advance the collaborative forest management regime over Category II lands under the Cree-Quebec Governance Agreement.
  • Administer the Cree Traditional Activities Enhancement Program to mitigate impacts on affected land users.
  • Coordinate forestry consultations with Tallymen, land users, and local Joint Working Groups.
  • Monitor forestry activities, harmonization measures, sensitive areas, and land user complaints in the field.
  • Support wildlife and habitat protection, including Wildlife Habitat Development Directives and the Moose Habitat Quality Index.
  • Advance geospatial analysis and field monitoring technology under the Cree Nation Government Geospatial Strategy.

Key Programs & Agreements

  • Adapted Forestry Regime — established under the Paix des Braves Agreement (2002).
  • Cree Traditional Activities Enhancement Program (CTAE) — first signed in 2005 and renewed three times since; slated for revision in 2026.
  • Baril-Moses Agreements (2002 and 2015) — extending the Adapted Forestry Regime east of the height of land.
  • Cree-Quebec Governance Agreement (2012) — establishing a Collaborative Forestry Regime over Category II lands.
  • Forestry Information Management System (FIMS) — the Department’s administrative platform for tracking projects from proposal through verification.
  • Field Monitoring Program — on-the-ground monitoring of complaints, CTAE projects, harmonization measures, and sensitive areas, carried out in partnership with community Joint Working Groups.

Communities Impacted by Forestry

The Adapted Forestry Regime applies to traplines in five Cree communities within the Chapter 3 Territory:

  • Waswanipi — 62 traplines
  • Mistissini — 31 traplines
  • Ouje-Bougoumou — 13 traplines
  • Nemaska — 7 traplines
  • Waskaganish — 3 traplines

The Department meets with local Joint Working Groups on a regular cycle: monthly with Waswanipi, every two months with Mistissini and Ouje-Bougoumou, and every three months with Nemaska and Waskaganish.

Where

4 Rue Chief Louis R. Gull, Waswanipi, QC, Canada

Contact us

By phone

Main office
(418) 923-2652