Framing the governance lifecycle of first nations – industry forestry collaboration in northwestern ontario, canada¹

Forestry companies and First Nations are increasingly working together through new forms of collaborative arrangements. Wincrief Forest Products is an example of such collaboration and was a partnership between Wabaseemoong Independent Nations and forestry and construction professionals from northwestern Ontario. Wincrief Forest Products was initiated in 2004 leading to its formalization in 2009 as a home building and later hydro pole production company based on wood harvesting within the Wabaseemoong Traditional Land Use Area. In April 2014, Wincrief Forest Products ceased operation. This article provides a governance and social frame analysis for the full lifecycle of Wincrief Forest Products and addresses important knowledge gaps around perspectives driving each stage of First Nation – industry partnerships and how such perspectives affect the way that collaboration is initiated, sustained, and potentially collapsed. Fourteen key informants involved in the initiation, governance, and day-to-day operations of Wincrief Forest Products were interviewed. Towards understanding the lifecycle of the collaboration, a frame analysis is applied, which focuses on understanding the different issues, solutions, roles, and responsibilities relating to the Wincrief Forest Products lifecycle. Insights from this research are important for understanding the unique needs and perspectives of First Nations and industry partners involved in governance and the development of best practices for industry – First Nation collaboration.