Can forestry co-exist in harmony with the Cree hunting, trapping and fishing way of life? That’s the question they’re busy trying to answer at the Waswanipi Cree Model Forest.

The project, created in 1997, is the only Aboriginal model forest in the Canadawide model forest program.

It gets $500,000 in funds each year from the federal government, and raises another $250,000 from the Waswanipi band and a Quebec research fund.

“We’re like the poster boys of the model forest,” says Sam W. Gull, president of the model forest.

After four years of quietly working behind the scenes, the model forest had a breakthrough last week.

It met with seven forestry companies in Val d’Or to start discussions on a better consultation process on forestry.

“The idea is for Crees to have meaningful participation in decision-making. Right now they just show us the plans and we don’t have any input,” said Gull.

The model forest has a few other projects on the go. It is developing forestry-management plans for three Waswanipi traplines.

“This will be part of the management system of the future,” said Gull.

Trappers, extended family and the community would all be asked to identify key features of the trapline – sacred areas, moose yards, wildlife corridors, buffer zones, camps.

This information would be used to help minimize damage from forestry and road construction. “It’s a practical guideline of how to manage a hunting ground. We’re taking the principle and going out to test out how to do it. This is where these projects are crucial,” said Gull.

“It complements what they’re doing at the negotiations” on forestry between Crees and Quebec, he said.

“(Forestry) has to be adaptable and compatible with the Cree way of life and modern economic needs. We have to balance those two.”

The model forest’s third major program is developing rules for Waswanipi’s own forestry operation, the band-owned Mishtuk Corp., which is co-owner of the Nabakatuk sawmill.

The rules would make sure Cree loggers are rolemodels for other foresters.

“If we’re going to be telling the government and companies how to take care of forests, we have to set an example,” said Gull. “We have to adopt it and practice it ourselves.”

Gull emphasized that all the initiatives are taken on “without prejudice,” which means they won’t affect Cree legal actions and can’t be used as evidence in court.

On the side, the model forest has also built 30 kilometres of walking trails around Waswanipi and supports research on wildlife and forestry.

The model forest has one more year of funding left, and hopes to get renewed for another five years.

Said Gull, “We have to continue finding solutions because if we don’t the problems are only going to get worse.”