First Nations Forestry Agreements are Flourishing in BC

[Forestry Deals Flourish]

First Nations Forestry Agreements are Flourishing in BC . . .

News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy,Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

February 18, 2005

On any given day, the BC Treaty Process might seem to be a lame duck limping along, in a never-ending land rights marathon.

However, progress is being made between the individual First Nations willing to take a risk, by signing interim forestry agreements with the BC Government.

They have been seduced by reality - the needs of their people, and the obvious opportunity to provide jobs and inject more economic development wealth into their communities.

In the words of Lil'wat Nation Chief Leonard Andrew, "Jobs are critical to the economic health of any community. We look forward to using this opportunity to build our business and bring greater economic stability to our people".

Despite the naysayers, and in the face of some 'home-grown' self-righteous political opposition, these leaders and more than 80 First Nations, have taken the leap into the arena of interim agreements.

Ditidaht Chief Councillor Jack Thompson is pragmatic, "We have worked hard to build our sawmill operation into a strong and viable business. The timber and revenue in this agreement will help ensure that business will flourish for many years to come, providing jobs for our workers and greater security for our community".

The Lil’wat Nation signed a $4.5 Million forestry agreement with BC Government, providing timber, revenue and new forest sector opportunities for the Pemberton area First Nation.

The Lil’wat Nation, also known as the Mount Currie Indian Band will gain access to 290,500 cubic metres of timber in the Soo timber supply area, and $4.5 million in revenue sharing over five years. Of the total timber volume, 18,000 cubic metres are immediately available in the Soo timber supply area - the remainder will be available once the provincewide timber reallocation process is complete.

Lil’wat Chief Leonard Andrew said,"This agreement recognizes the historic and present day connection the Lil’wat people have to the land. It recognizes Lil’wat’s Interests in the land. Concurrently, this agreement will allow our community to increase its capacity in the forest sector. "

The Lil’wat Nation has over 1,800 community members - 10 reserves on 2,929.6 hectares, at Mount Currie, near Pemberton. The BC Government is not giving it away and has a specific motivation in cutting these types of deals with First Nations.

"With this agreement, the Province receives acknowledgement from the Lil’wat Nation that the economic benefits are a workable interim accommodation with respect to the economic component of potential infringements of their aboriginal interests regarding forestry decisions and operations. The agreement also sets out a streamlined consultation process and provides certainty to forest operations within the band’s asserted traditional territories."

On the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Ditidaht First Nation will reap the benefits of an agreement - a $1.6 million forestry agreement, that provides the First Nation with revenue, timber access and new economic opportunities.

The Ditidaht First Nation gains access to a total of 173,250 cubic metres of timber, and $1,609,280 in revenue sharing over five years. 76,265 cubic metres will be immediately available in Tree Farm Licence 44. The remainder will come from Tree Farm Licences 44 and 46 on southwest Vancouver Island once the province-wide timber reallocation process is complete.

The Ditidaht First Nation has 645 members /17 reserves on 725.3 hectares, on southwest Vancouver Island. Their main community is on the east shore of Nitinat Lake, about 50 km south of Port Alberni.

Since September 2002, BC has signed agreements with 85 First Nations, providing a total of $84.6 million and 13.3 million cubic metres of timber over the term of the agreements.

Here is a good example of why some First Nations refuse to participate in these forestry deals in BC. . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =5164#5164

For More About the BC Treaty Process . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-bctreaty.htm