The Mi’kmaw Forestry Initiative (MFI) is a province-wide program in Nova Scotia led by the Mi’kmaw people, dedicated to restoring and stewarding forest ecosystems using Mi’kmaw principles and values. Overseen by the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and key organizations, MFI’s governance supports collaborative decision-making. The initiative began after years of negotiation and was inspired by recommendations from the 2018 Lahey Report, leading to its pilot launch in 2019. MFI manages over 30,000 hectares of forest land across several sites, including major areas in St. Croix, Digby, Caledonia, and Frasers Mills, focusing on sustainable practices and the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into forestry management.

The Mi’kmaw Forestry Initiative (MFI) aims to restore the Wabanaki Forest by applying Mi’kmaw principles to ecosystem stewardship. Its goals include promoting biodiversity, protecting old-growth forests, preserving wildlife habitats, sequestering carbon, and creating economic opportunities while strengthening Mi’kmaq capacity in forestry. The initiative also seeks to revive spiritual connections with the land and ensure knowledge transfer across generations.

The goal of this initiative is to restore the Wabanaki Forest by applying Mi’kmaw principles to forest ecosystem stewardship. With a strong emphasis on fostering biodiversity, protecting old-growth forests, preserving and enhancing wildlife habitat, and sequestering carbon. We also prioritize the protection of watercourses and watersheds to sustain water quality and aquatic habitat!