First Nations Partnership with Western Forest Products Marks New Era for British Columbia’s Lumber Industry

A newly formed limited partnership between four Vancouver Island First Nations and Western Forest Products, one of British Columbia’s largest forestry companies, is considered the way forward for the province’s lumber industry.

The First Nations, whose territories are located around Campbell Riveracquired 34% of the shares of Western Forest Products for $35.9 million. Part of the funding for this acquisition came from treaty agreements negotiated with British Columbia.

Premier David Eby says this is an example of First Nations, businesses and communities working together on reconciliation after decades of conflict that resulted in court and land battles.

This is a historic agreementhe declared at a press conference. It’s really about increasing the role of First Nations as stewards of their territories and fostering the movement towards stronger communities and better economic development on northern Vancouver Island.

The partnership concerns the K’omoks, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Tlowitsis First Nations on 1,570 km2 of forests near Campbell River and of Sayward. They will manage an annual authorization to cut more than 904,540 cubic meters of wood.

Leader Dallas Smithpresident of the Nanwakolas council, of which the four First Nations are members, explained that this partnership is a step towards sustainable and effective forest management.

He recalled that First Nations spent decades dealing with numerous provincial governments and forestry companies before reaching this stage.

For too long, the very people responsible for the existence of healthy and abundant forests before colonization have been excluded from participation in their continued sustainable management and from any opportunity to benefit from them.

For his part, the chief of the Tlowitsis First Nation, John Smithbelieves that the possibility of creating jobs for indigenous youth is inestimable.

The president of Western Forest Products, Steven Hofersaid this partnership represents a new era for the forestry industry in British Columbia, where everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit: We recognize that our future is not only in our products, but also in the relationships we build.

The formation of the partnership, planned for early 2024, remains subject to various conditions, including tenure transfer approvals from the British Columbia Ministry of Forests.

With information from The Canadian Press