In 2007, the Forest Science Board initiated a strategic planning process to focus the direction of the Forest Investment Account Forest Science Program (FIA-FSP) for the next five years. A key outcome of this process was to continue harmonizing FIA-FSP activities with the interests of First Nations, which may include establishment of a separate Aboriginal Science Funding Stream.
 

     
 

Services: A Cortex facilitator designed and led workshops for the Forest Science Board in November 2007 and September 2008 to develop a vision for the FIA-FSP, plus strategies and actions to help the organization achieve this vision.

In 2008 and 2009, Cortex also designed, organized, and co-facilitated two 1.5 day workshops that brought together aboriginal elders, community leaders, and researchers with non-aboriginal researchers to solicit advice on how to design an Aboriginal Science Funding Stream within the FIA-FSP. These workshops were a collaboration between the FIA-FSP and the First Nations Forestry Council.

Outcomes: Based on the outcomes of the strategic planning workshops, Cortex produced a draft strategic plan for FIA-FSP for the period 2009-2014. Following the two Aboriginal Science Funding Stream workshops Cortex prepared a report summarizing the advice and recommendations of participants; the FIA-FSP continues to advance development of a separate funding stream for Aboriginal Science based on this information.