WCC 2016 Res 075 - Activity Report

PLT Canada (a program of SFI) catalyzed Indigenous youth opportunities through innovative programming and the grassroots SFI Network, including support of the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP). 16 SFI Program Participants actively supported OYEP graduates by providing meaningful ongoing training and employment opportunities and have collectively contributed over $800,000 to OYEP since 2018. These contributions, in addition to SFI and PLT Canada’s support, have been integral in supporting OYEP’s growth from three to six field camps in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario employing over 140 Indigenous youth annually.

PLT Canada (a program of SFI) contributed to addressing Indigenous housing issues in Canada through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Indigenous Housing Partnership, with a build taking place in Kamloops, BC, in addition to creating opportunities for SFI Program Participants (e.g., West Fraser) to donate building products to projects.

Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT, a program of SFI) hosted workshops and supported SFI network participation at Indigenous events such as the Forward Summit and Workforce Forward; played a role in facilitating Indigenous participation in international events such as the Textile Exchange; and led the development of an e-learning course in partnership with Sault College focused on Indigenous Relations in Natural Resources that will be available for SFI Program Participants and PLT Canada Green Jobs youth.

SFI is working with the Splatsin Peoples of south-central British Columbia to develop sampling methodology for culturally important species on their territories, which are certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard.