Chiefs and Councillors of Miisun Board Awarded Inaugural SFI Indigenous Forest Leadership Award
Press Release
May 6, 2026
Montréal, QC — The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) is proud to announce the first-ever recipients of the SFI Indigenous Forest Leadership Award, in honour of Chief Lorraine Cobiness who passed in 2025. This inaugural award recognizes the Chiefs and Councilors of the Miisun Integrated Resource Management Company for leadership in land stewardship.
“Chief Cobiness was an inspiring leader, an advocate for positive change, and a friend I learned so much from. She enriched our work at SFI through her passion, vision, and thoughtfulness, and she demonstrated how forestry can be done in a way that respects the land while strengthening communities,” said Kathy Abusow, CEO of SFI. “She will remain an inspiration to many in the forest sector, and this award was created to recognize her incredible legacy and the leaders who continue the work.”
Chief Cobiness was the President of Miisun and Miitigoog Limited Partnership Board since inception. This video in her recognition captures her leadership in sustainable land management. Miisun and Miitigoog together represent a unique and successful Indigenous-led approach to sustainable forest management in Northwestern Ontario. Miitigoog, a joint venture between First Nations and forest sector organizations including SFI-certified Weyerhaeuser, has been certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard since 2011 and contracts Miisun Integrated Resource Management, a 100% First Nations-owned natural resource management company, to manage the Kenora and Whiskey Jack Forests.
This Indigenous-led model has strengthened relationships between First Nations and the forestry sector while supporting environmental, economic, social, and traditional sustainability within Miisun’s operating area. Miisun and Miitigoog have also been featured as an SFI Indigenous Rights and Relationship Building Spotlight, highlighting their approach to sustainable forest management and their commitment to incorporating First Nations Traditional Ecological Knowledge, cultural values, and local priorities into forest planning and operations, supporting long-term forest health and well-being.
The leadership demonstrated by the Chiefs and Councillors who serve on the board of Miisun Integrated Resource Management Company reflects the values embodied by Chief Lorraine Cobiness and the lasting impact of her work. The SFI Indigenous Forest Leadership Award was created in honour of Chief Cobiness, former President of Miisun, and will be presented at the SFI Annual Conference to an Indigenous individual, community, or organization demonstrating exceptional leadership in advancing Indigenous-led forest management.
IBF4
