Capactiy for what? Capacity for whom?: A critical analysis of capacity building for aborignal forest management

Background/Question/Methods

The development of technical and administrative capacities amongst Aboriginal communities for the purposes of engaging the natural resource sectors has been a major focus in policy and regulatory discourse amongst governments, resource industries and Aboriginal peoples. This research examines the utility of the existing Aboriginal capacity development framework in facilitating the empowerment of Aboriginal communities.  Specifically, British Columbia’s forestry-related Aboriginal community engagement model is outlined and an analysis of its impact on 1) Aboriginal participation in the forest sector and 2) Aboriginal relationships to forest “resources” is examined.

Results/Conclusions

A framework for respectful analysis and dialogue that acknowledges that Aboriginal capacity building is not a neutral technical process, but one that is about power, epistemology and ideology is presented, along with how these factors are mediated through institutional structures and processes.