About

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Dr. M.A. (Peggy) Smith is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management at Lakehead University. She teaches Forest Policy and Legislation in Natural Resources, Environmental Assessment, and Aboriginal Peoples and Natural Resources. Her research interests focus on the social impacts of natural resource management, including Aboriginal peoples' involvement in natural resource management, development and conservation, community forestry, public participation, northern development, and forest certification. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry in 2007. She is a Registered Professional Forester who graduated from the Faculty of Forestry at Lakehead University in 1991. She considers herself privileged to be a part of the growing number of people of Aboriginal ancestry (Cree) who have graduated from Canadian forestry schools. Dr. Smith continues her longstanding affiliation as Senior Advisor with the National Aboriginal Forestry Association, a non-profit, Aboriginal-controlled organization with the goal of increasing Aboriginal participation in the forest sector.

Education

  • November 2007 – Ph.D., Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto
  • Aug-Oct. 1999 – Trainee in International Forestry Resources and Institutions program at Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis, Indiana University
  • 1991 – Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Lakehead University

Experience

January 2009 – Present

Associate Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University.

2007 – 2009

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment, Lakehead University

2000-2007

Lecturer, Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment, Lakehead University while completing Ph.D. Courses: Forest Policy & Legislation, Aboriginal Peoples and the Forest Environment, Environmental Assessment

1994 – Present

  • Senior Advisor for National Aboriginal Forestry Association on development of National Aboriginal Forest Land Management Guidelines, development and delivery of Introduction to Aboriginal Forest Land Management course, education and employment policy, including liaison with post-secondary institutions offering natural resource management programs, assessment of co-management regimes, development of Aboriginal criteria and indicators for sustainable development, international Indigenous policy in forest management
  • Forestry consultant to Aboriginal communities and federal government

1991-1994

Community Project Forester for KBM Forestry Consultants Inc. on following projects:

  • Traditional land use study for Stanjikoming First Nation
  • Research project for Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples on relationship between forest industry and Aboriginal communities
  • Forest Management Plan for Fort William First Nation
  • Consultant for Earthroots on reforestation project in Eritrea, Africa
  • Development of Aboriginal Forest Land Management Guidelines for National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA)
  • Research Assistant to Dr. Bob Rosehart, Chief Negotiator for the Province of Ontario in the Self-Government negotiations with Nishnawbe-Aski Nation
  • Member of Secretariat for Forest Sector Task Force of the Ontario Round Table on the Environment and Economy
  • Project Co-ordinator for Information Collection and Assessment for Aboriginal Forestry Training and Employment Review (AFTER)

Summer 1990

Research Assistant to Dr. Paul Watts, Biologist, Institute of Arctic Ecophysiology, Churchill, MB conducting study of travelling behaviour of beluga whales on Churchill River

Summer 1988

  • Research Assistant for Dr. Robert Farmer, School of Forestry, Lakehead University conducting data collection and analysis on provenance trials for Larix laricina
  • Tree planting for T.J. Bryson Silviculture Service, Thunder Bay, ON

1979 – 87

Secretary, Dept. of English, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

1977 – 79

Filing System Instructor for Dept. of Indian Affairs for Aboriginal Band Councils in northwestern Ontario

1976

Union Organizer, Association of University & College Employees, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.

1973 – 75

Secretary, School of Community & Regional Planning, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.

Consulting Work

Facilitation, reviews, strategic planning and evaluations with a variety of organizations and individual First Nations, including: National Aboriginal Forestry Association, First Nations Forestry Program, Canadian Forest Service, Union of Ontario Indians, Matawa Tribal Council, KBM Forestry Consultants Inc., Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation and Stanjikoming First Nation.