[Test] Indigenous Relations
Building Meaningful Relationships
OUR APPROACH
Creating Value Together
Our approach includes ongoing engagement, dialogue and incorporating traditional knowledge across our operations, including forest management. We work with more than 80 communities and over 100 Indigenous governments, communities and organizations across Canada, supporting shared outcomes through workforce, community and economic engagement.
This approach is reflected across four areas of focus: relationships; stewardship and collaboration; economic participation; and workforce and inclusion.
Leadership Actions
West Fraser’s approach to Indigenous relations is grounded in strong leadership commitment, supported by clear policies, transparent commitments and a culture strengthened through ongoing awareness and training. Our leaders play a key role in building and maintaining relationships with Indigenous Nations, engaging with communities and supporting ongoing dialogue at the local level. This helps ensure our approach is consistent across our operations.
Employment
West Fraser is committed to achieving equitable representation of Indigenous peoples in our workforce by recruiting and retaining Indigenous talent, removing barriers to employment and fostering culturally aware, inclusive workplaces. We support current and future Indigenous employees through workforce readiness, career development and advancement opportunities that enable long-term growth across our operations.
Business Development
West Fraser is committed to increasing the participation of Indigenous peoples in our business through direct employment, the procurement of services and other forms of partnership.
We have mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous-owned businesses. Through our procurement practices, including target setting and tracking, we examine opportunities to expand the scope of our business activities. Capacity building and mentorship also directly relate to sustaining, enhancing and fostering future business development.
Community Relations
West Fraser seeks to advance our Indigenous relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes to strengthen the generational value of the resources we manage. We regularly consult with more than 80 Indigenous communities on an ongoing basis, and we currently have 39 mutually agreed upon Indigenous community engagement processes in place.
Our approach to community relations is based on ensuring we have the resources and skills needed to develop and sustain positive and progressive relationships with Indigenous communities, groups and governments. We aim to listen, engage in dialogue and incorporate traditional knowledge into our practices. We have embedded the perspectives and rights of Indigenous Nations and community members within our Indigenous Peoples’ Policy and have established clear expectations to uphold these values.
Indigenous Relations Stories
