Landmark Agreement Supports First Nations Participation In Forestry

Four Campbell River-area First Nations have reached a deal with Western Forest Products that will see the Nations acquire a 34% interest from Western.

“Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks, who share significant areas of their respective territories, have been stewards of their forests for millenia. Na̲nwak̲olas Council assisted the four Nations in concluding the Agreement. This is a good day for everyone on Vancouver Island and the central coast,” said Dallas Smith, president, Na̲nwak̲olas Council.

“For far too long, the very people who are the reason there were healthy, abundant forests here prior to colonization were excluded from participation in their continued sustainable management and any ability to benefit from them. Today, we celebrate a significant step forward on the pathway to sustainable, effective resource management of our forests for the benefit of future generations. I applaud the Nations for taking this step. I acknowledge Western for stepping up into the partnership and thank B.C. for helping make this happen.”

The formation of the partnership and acquisition by the Nations, is subject to various closing conditions, including subdivision and tenure transfer approvals from the BC government, but it’s hoped the deal will be closed in the first quarter of 2024.

The partnership covers about 157,000 hectares of forest land in Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks First Nations.

The partnership will manage an allowable annual cut of about 900-thousand cubic metres of timber and includes a long-term fibre agreement to support Western’s British Columbia coastal manufacturing operations.

K’ómoks Chief Ken Price, a registered forestry technologist, says the agreement reflects not only a significant and meaningful incremental step forward in their vision for economic well-being as a Nation, but also their vision for a K’ómoks Treaty with the provincial and federal governments.

Premier David Eby called the partnership an excellent example of working together towards reconciliation.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.