Commemorating National Indigenous Peoples Day: Honoring Traditional Knowledge and Land Use

June 21st marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. At Mercer International, we deeply value our relationships with Indigenous communities and acknowledge the profound importance of their Traditional Lands to our operations and the future of sustainable forestry.

At Mercer Peace River (MPR), our commitment to meaningful engagement is exemplified by a significant initiative within our FRIAA Traditional Land Use Project: the Cultural Awareness Collaboration. This vital partnership brings together Mercer Peace River, the Sucker Creek First Nation, and the NAIT Centre for Boreal Research to address a critical gap in our industry: developing more effective mitigation strategies that respect traditional values found on these ancestral lands. These values are diverse and integral to Indigenous heritage, encompassing everything from vital medicinal plants, to unique ecological indicators like squirrel middens, essential wildlife resources such as mineral licks and wildlife corridors, and any other items identified by knowledge keepers as culturally significant and worthy of preservation. Some values such as burial sites and historical and campsites or cabins, historical or current, require a higher level of protection from any disturbance.  

Our forestry professionals identified that while operational plans aim to minimize impact, there was an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Indigenous cultural values directly tied to the land. This collaboration seeks to raise awareness and provide essential education to all MPR team members and contractors involved in the harvesting process. The Indigenous community benefits from this project as well, not only for protection and mitigation of any impacts on values but also to pass traditional knowledge to their youth. 

A cornerstone of this initiative was a highly impactful meeting held in February 2025 at the Sucker Creek First Nation. This gathering brought together over 45 elders and knowledge keepers – an invaluable assembly whose direct insights are paramount to this project’s success. Their wisdom and guidance provided crucial information about the specific cultural values that resonate with the land and its resources.

Building on this foundational exchange, the team will embark on a dedicated four-day session in July directly on the traditional lands at Sucker Creek First Nation. During this time, representatives from NAIT will respectfully video and interview elders and knowledge keepers, gathering further rich information and visual documentation.

The culmination of this collaborative effort will be the creation of a comprehensive manual and accompanying video. These educational resources will serve as vital tools to equip all MPR team members and contractors with the knowledge to:

• Recognize traditional values when they are encountered on traditional lands.
• Understand what specific actions to take when these values are identified.
• Implement effective mitigation strategies designed to protect and preserve these cultural treasures.

This Cultural Awareness Collaboration is more than just a project; it’s a testament to our commitment to reconciliation and building respectful relationships. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern forestry practices, Mercer Peace River is working towards a future where sustainable resource management truly honors the rich tapestry of Indigenous cultures and traditions. On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the wisdom shared and the progress being made towards a more inclusive and respectful approach to land stewardship.

This important project is funded by the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA), a non-profit organization that supports forest management activities contributing to healthy, sustainable forests across Alberta.

Author: Jody Bekevich, Communications and Community Relations Coordinator at Mercer Peace River