1. Sarah Parsons, University of Northern BC March 11 th, 2006 - WDCAG AGM, Kamloops, BC Aboriginal Measures of Success in Sustainable Forest Co-management: A test of participatory methods

2. Project Background Community-University Research Alliance (CURA) Tl’azt’en Nation-UNBC John Prince Research Forest Co-managed working forest Research, Education, Forest Management John Prince Research Forest

3. What is a Measure? Adaptive management tool It is a sign or signal to assess progress towards a specified outcome Example: Local Employment The proportion of personnel budget spent on Tl’azt’enne The satisfaction of Tl’azt’en Staff with work-related learning opportunities

4. Forest Management Measures Local-level initiatives Model Forests Research Third Party Certification Government Policy Challenges Qualitative measures Social values Meaningful stakeholder involvement Aboriginal issues

5. Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Co-management Initiated to improve co- management of the JPRF Identified desired JPRF outcomes Community benefits Cultural Revitalization JPRF Research Environmental Social Policy/ Governance Cultural Economic “What outcomes do you expect from the John Prince Research Forest?”

6. Research Objectives 1.Create and implement a method to develop Aboriginal measures of co-management success 2.Develop guidelines for the method 3.Assess the method, and recommend improvements

7. Data Transformed to Measures Personal Transformative Process Conduct Interview Analyze Data Develop Questions STAGE 1STAGE 2STAGE 3 Method Overview

8. Experience working in the community, relationship building Background reading on Tl'azt'en and Aboriginal peoples Reading on community- based research and Aboriginal Measures Data Transformed to Measures Personal Transformative Process Conduct Interview Analyze Data Develop Questions Gaining Perspective

9. Data Transformed to Measures Personal Transformative Process Analyze Data Data Collection Analysis of JPRF Outcomes Data Interviews on Measures Focus Group on Measures and Guidelines Conduct Interview Develop Questions

10. Tl’azt’en Guidelines 1.Community-based 2.Linked to JPRF 3.Positive focus 4.Technical/layman’s terminology 5.Qualitative/quantitative 6.Valid 7.Reliable 8.Realistic

11. Convert Data to Measures Review of Preliminary Results Community Verification Data Transformed to Measures Personal Transformative Process Conduct Interview Analyze Data Develop Questions Data Refinement

12. Measures Summary 52 Measures for Cultural Revitalization Seven Themes: Dak’elh language and place names Respecting traditional governance Involving Tl’azt’enne Using research to preserve culture Using education to preserve culture Supporting cultural activities Well-being of traditional culture

13. Value: Cultural Revitalization THEMEMEASURE Using Dak'elh language and place names Number and/or Percentage of maps and signs produced by JPRF that are bilingual or primarily use Dak'elh, by type Involving Tl'azt'enne Description of how JPRF has worked with elders Example Measures

14. Method Analysis Necessary to go beyond outcomes data for measures Outcomes Data (15%) Group discussion essential New ideas Verification Guidelines

15. Conclusions First Nations can be effectively involved in creating measures Data synthesis can retain authenticity First Nations social and cultural values can be measured Implications for: C&I-based evaluation systems Co-management Research needs

16. Questions…?