• Rights of Indigenous Peoples

    RR-FM-210a.2 Description of engagement processes and due diligence practices with respect to human rights, indigenous rights, and the local community

    OBJECTIVE 8. RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

    OBJECTIVE 11. LEGAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

    OBJECTIVE 14. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND LANDOWNER OUTREACH

    Performance Measure 8.1. Certified Organizations shall recognize and respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

    Indicator 1. Certified Organizations shall develop and implement a written policy acknowledging a commitment to recognize and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. This policy shall provide reference to a program that includes: a. use of available resources and information to identify the Indigenous Peoples whose rights may be affected by the Certified Organization’s forest management activities. b. recognition of the established framework of legal, customary, and traditional rights such as outlined in: i. the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; ii. federal, provincial, and state laws and regulations; iii. treaties, agreements or other constructive arrangements among governments and Indigenous Peoples. c. appropriate training of personnel and contractors so that the Certified Organization is competent to fulfill their responsibilities under Objective 8 of the Forest Management Standard.

    Performance Measure 8.2. Certified Organizations with forest management responsibilities on public lands shall confer with Indigenous Peoples whose rights may be affected by the Certified Organization’s forest management practices.

    Indicator 1. Program that includes communicating with affected Indigenous Peoples to enable Certified Organizations to: a. understand and respect traditional forest-related knowledge; b. identify and protect spiritually, historically, or culturally important sites; c. address the use of non-timber forest products of value; d. communicate through processes that respect their representative institutions, using appropriate protocols; e. provide opportunities to review forest management plans and forest management practices; and f. respond to inquiries and concerns received.

    Performance Measure 8.3. Certified Organizations are encouraged to communicate with and shall respond to Indigenous Peoples whose rights may be affected by forest management practices on the Certified Organization’s private lands.

    Indicator 1. Certified Organizations are aware of traditional forest-related knowledge, such as known cultural heritage sites, the use of wood in traditional buildings and crafts, and flora that may be used in cultural practices for food, ceremonies, or medicine.

    Indicator 2. Respond to Indigenous Peoples’ inquiries and concerns received.

    Performance Measure 11.2. Certified Organizations shall comply with all applicable social laws at the federal, provincial, state, and local levels in the country in which the Certified Organization operates.

    Indicator 1. Written policy demonstrating commitment to comply with social laws, such as those covering civil rights, equal employment opportunities, gender equality, diversity inclusion, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment measures, workers’ compensation, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, workers’ and communities’ right to know, prevailing wages, workers’ right to organize, and occupational health and safety.

    Indicator 2. Forestry enterprises will respect the rights of workers and labor representatives in a manner that encompasses the intent of the International Labor Organization (ILO) core conventions.

    Performance Measure 14.2. Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees support and promote, at the state, provincial or other appropriate levels, mechanisms for public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forest management.

    Indicator 1. Periodic educational opportunities for the public promoting sustainable forestry, such as a. field tours, seminars, websites, webinars or workshops; b. educational trips; c. self-guided forest management trails; d. publication of articles, educational pamphlets, or newsletters; or e. support for national, state, provincial, and local forestry organizations and soil and water conservation districts. f. engagement and support of teachers and/or students though programs such as Project Learning Tree.

    Performance Measure 14.3. Certified Organizations shall, individually and/or through cooperative efforts including SFI Implementation Committees, establish, at the state, provincial, or other appropriate levels, procedures to address concerns raised by loggers, consulting foresters, employees, unions, stakeholders, the public or other Certified Organizations regarding management that appears inconsistent with the SFI standards principles and objectives.

    Indicator 2. Process to receive and respond to public inquiries. SFI Implementation Committees shall submit data annually to SFI Inc. regarding concerns received and responses.