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Indigenous Economic Pathways and PEFC Canada Sign MOU to Advance Indigenous-Led Forest Certification in Canada

Vancouver, BC — January 20, 2026 — Indigenous Economic Pathways (IEP) and PEFC Canada are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing Indigenous-led group forest management certification in Canada.

This partnership supports First Nations leadership in forestry by co-developing certification pathways that reflect Indigenous stewardship, governance, and values, while strengthening access to markets, capacity, and long-term economic opportunity. The collaboration represents a practical step forward in advancing Indigenous economic reconciliation within Canada’s forest sector.

Through this MOU, IEP and PEFC Canada will work together to support Indigenous Nations and organizations interested in forest certification models that are locally appropriate, scalable, and aligned with Indigenous priorities, while remaining nationally and internationally recognized.

Together, IEP and PEFC Canada will:

• Support Indigenous-led group forest management certification standard
• Engage First Nations through collaborative dialogue and pilot initiatives
• Align Indigenous stewardship and governance systems with national and international certification frameworks
• Advance shared learning, innovation, and capacity-building across the forest sector in support of Indigenous economic reconciliation

This collaboration recognizes the growing interest among First Nations in certification approaches that support sustainable forest management, market access, and economic self-determination, while respecting Indigenous laws, knowledge systems, and relationships to land.

By combining IEP’s Indigenous-led economic development platform with PEFC Canada’s globally recognized, Canadian-developed forest certification framework, the partnership creates space for practical solutions that respond to the realities of Indigenous forest tenure, capacity, and long-term community goals.

About Indigenous Economic Pathways (IEP)

Indigenous Economic Pathways is an Indigenous-led platform advancing sector-specific economic development through conferences, programs, and partnerships across Canada. IEP convenes Indigenous Nations, entrepreneurs, industry, governments, and investors to support Indigenous-driven growth in forestry, tourism, seafood, the blue economy, and other key sectors. IEP’s work focuses on capacity-building, market access, collaboration, and Indigenous economic sovereignty in practice.

Website: www.iepathways.ca

About PEFC Canada

PEFC Canada is the national member for the international organization: Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). PEFC Canada offers a forest certification framework developed by Canadians for Canadian forests. By emphasizing local decision-making, Indigenous engagement, and place-based stewardship, PEFC Canada helps ensure that sustainable forest management reflects both local values and international expectations.

Website: www.pefccanada.org

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