Our People
and Communities
To meet Canada’s conservation goals, Indigenous‑led conservation is vital, given certain First Nations’ access to and claims over vast expanses
of land.
First 30×30 Canada works to address financial and technical obstacles for Indigenous communities to maximize economic growth and opportunity through conservation projects. This program helps navigate early‑stage development efforts to launch projects that are built to last.
First 30×30 Canada projects will primarily focus on Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, which are lands and waters that First Nations identify for conservation.
Our funding contributes to identifying opportunities for enhanced biodiversity, prioritizing large areas of land ideal for conservation and absorbing carbon, developing nature‑based
solutions and delivering economic benefits for Indigenous communities.
“Indigenous‑led conservation initiatives are vital to protecting culturally and ecologically significant lands within Indigenous territories, as they recognize First Nations’ rights to lead the establishment of protected areas,” said Lana Wilhelm, Domtar’s director of Indigenous Relations.
In 2024, Domtar launched a newly integrated Indigenous Relations Steering Committee. The goal is to build a common program, developing shared best practice standards and aligning our Indigenous relations policies and commitment statements. As part of Domtar’s sustainability strategy, the IR steering committee has pledged to establishing an integrated Global Indigenous Relations Policy by 2026. The steering committee is made up of dedicated professionals with strong backgrounds in Indigenous relations and many years working in the forest industry.
“Our journey with the Tla’amin Nation is an important one in the history of our company. The path we have walked together shows that when you take the time to build trusted relationships and get things right, the extraordinary becomes possible.” — Richard Tremblay, president, Pulp & Tissue business unit.
Domtar signed an agreement with Tla’amin Nation in 2025 to return a culturally significant parcel of land, marking a meaningful step toward reconciliation.
Corporate commitment to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is reflected in Domtar’s many collaborations and partnerships with Indigenous communities across Canada.
25‑year joint venture with Band Council of Obedjiwan at Opitciwan, Quebec, sawmill, where more than 73% of the 50 employees are Atikamekw.
23‑year partnership with Fort William First Nation, on whose land our Thunder Bay, Ontario, sawmill employs over 260 workers, approximately 20% of whom are Anishinabek.
Agreements concluded with Klahoose First Nation and We Wai Kai First Nation on fiber supply partnerships in British Columbia.
Mistik Management Ltd., an equal partnership between Domtar’s Meadow Lake pulp mill and NorSask Forest Products (owned by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council), holds the provincial forest management agreement for the area in Saskatchewan.
Health and Safety at Domtar: A Shared Commitment Rooted in Care
Our People, Recognized
