Domtar has released a new Global Indigenous Relations Policy, representing the company's long-term commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples. The policy is grounded in the principles of inclusion, transparency and mutual respect.

The policy commits to advancing reconciliation, promoting economic opportunities, and fostering respect and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples' rights, culture and connections to the land in all our business practices.

"This new Global Indigenous Relations Policy represents an important next step in our company's commitment to values-based engagement with Indigenous Peoples," says Luc Thériault, President, Wood Products. "The policy will serve as our guide for interactions with Indigenous communities and partners as we promote partnerships that are grounded in trust, respect and shared prosperity for all."

Rooted in Values

Our Global Indigenous Relations Policy is founded on four important values:

• Respect for Indigenous Rights: We recognize the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), ensuring that Indigenous voices guide our decisions.  
• Cultural Awareness: We provide opportunities for our employees to be educated in diverse Indigenous cultures, fostering respectful interactions. We integrate Indigenous perspectives into decision-making where appropriate. 
• Sustainable Development: We work in partnership with Indigenous Communities and incorporate traditional knowledge into our sustainable practices. 
• Economic reconciliation: We focus on actions that build partnership opportunities on a path of shared success. 

"We are committed to walking the talk in all our interactions with Indigenous communities and partners," says Lana Wilhelm, Director of Indigenous Relations, Domtar. "This policy embeds respect for Indigenous rights, culture and knowledge at the core of our business practices. We are dedicated to the real work of staying true to those values as we operate every day."

The new Global Indigenous Relations Policy applies to all regions in which Domtar operates. It is the result of two years' work by Domtar's Indigenous Relations Steering Committee. The Committee integrated and built upon the existing policies of legacy Domtar companies (Paper Excellence, Resolute Forest Products and Domtar). As part of this process, we commissioned an external review by Mokwateh, an Indigenous business consulting firm.

Our Commitment in Action

Our Global Indigenous Relations Policy also lays out clear pathways for creating shared benefits and prosperity through business development and community investment.

Thanks to Indigenous partnerships in every region where we operate, we can advance strategies that facilitate the participation of Indigenous businesses in the procurement of goods and services and support mutually beneficial partnerships.

Our Atli Chip Partnership in British Columbia is just one example of this. We have a large-scale fiber-supply agreement with the 'Na̱mǥis First Nation, through Atli Chip, majority-owned by Atli Resources LP. We purchase all wood chip and biomass fuel production, enhancing Indigenous participation in the local economy.

Another pathway to shared prosperity is community investment that is harmonized with the aspirations and direction of Indigenous communities. One way we do this is by increasing opportunities for Indigenous youth. Through the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP), we provide a six-week paid forestry work experience to high school-aged Indigenous youth in supportive and enriching environments across Canada.

We're also supporting Indigenous-led conservation projects in Canada by investing in $135,000 USD as a funder of First 30x30 Canada. This is an opportunity to contribute to environmental stewardship and economic potential, with Indigenous Nations at the forefront.  

We recognize that the work of reconciliation takes many forms. Recently, Domtar and the Tla'amin Nation signed the historic tiskwat land agreement. Through the agreement, Domtar returned to Tla'amin Nation a substantial portion of land at the former tiskwat paper mill site in Powell River, British Columbia. tiskwat was a large and important village site that holds both historical and contemporary significance for the Tla'amin people.

A Global Indigenous Relations Policy for the Future

Trust. Respect. Shared prosperity. This is how we live our values at Domtar. By embedding respect for Indigenous rights, culture and knowledge into the core of our business practices at Domtar, we aim to contribute to the broader movement of reconciliation.

Read Domtar's full Global Indigenous Relations Policy here.