Connecting Past and Present
November 1, 2024 By: Les J
Article #1:Why Both Parties Are Wrong about BC’s Forest Crisis – Ben Parfitt
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/10/17/Both-Parties-Wrong-BC-Forestry-Crisis/
Forest conservation has been a long-term challenge in Canada. This article describes that B.C. is simply running out of trees that can be affordably harvested. Gillis & Roach’s paper in Unit 3-1 showed that forest conservation in Canada was initially based on economic principles. This article illustrates that focus has failed, as access to economically viable timber has steadily decreased. The government and industry’s inability to manage and conserve the resource effectively has led to a boom-and-bust cycle and a substantial decline in B.C.’s forest industry.
Article #2: Parks Canada unveils new national Indigenous Stewardship Policy – Jenna Dulewich
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/parks-canada-indigenous-policy-1.7364200
Parks Canada has unveiled a new policy focused on working with Indigenous communities to conserve nature and culture. The article mentions the establishment of Banff National Park, which was described in Binnema and Niemi’s paper in Unit 3-2. Binnema and Niemi explained that the formation of the park deliberately excluded and harmed Indigenous peoples in the area. In the article, Chief Allan Adam of the Chipewyan First Nation feels that Parks Canada must do more to make up for past injustices. Chief Adam references Indigenous peoples’ removal from parks and the creation of other issues that still haven’t been resolved. The article shows that while Parks Canada wants to move forward in working with Indigenous peoples it may have to reckon with its past first.
Great post! The forestry crisis in B.C. really highlights the failure of an economy-first conservation approach. The boom-and-bust cycle shows why sustainable management is crucial—do you think stricter policies could help break this pattern?
The Indigenous Stewardship Policy is a step in the right direction, but Chief Adam’s concerns show that addressing past harms is just as important as future collaboration. Do you think Parks Canada will take stronger actions beyond policy changes?
Thanks for sharing—both issues show the need for better long-term conservation strategies!