FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
QUATSINO FIRST NATIONS AND LIONS GATE FOREST PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT IN FOREST MANAGEMENT
The agreement recognizes the Rights and Title of the Quatsino First Nation and supports the growth of local community
Quatsino, British Columbia, October 8th, 2020 – The Quatsino First Nation is pleased to announce the successful negotiation of a landmark forestry agreement with a local North Island forest company, Lions Gate Forest Products Ltd. Among other benefits, this multi-year agreement provides the Quatsino Nation with an opportunity to co-manage Lions Gate’s forest tenures within their traditional territory. Both parties view this as an important first step in ensuring that the Quatsino’s forest resources are managed in a manner that reflects the Nation’s rights, title, cultural needs and current Land Use Plan.
The first stage of this agreement involves approximately 300,000 cubic meters of timber harvesting and provides the Quatsino with an equal share of the profits generated by the joint venture. In addition to co-management and financial benefits the Quatsino leadership have negotiated training and entrepreneurship opportunities for Quatsino community members that will ultimately lead to the capacity necessary to operate a stand-alone forestry business.
“We view this agreement as an important first step which starts the Quatsino Nation down a path towards having control of the Nation’s forestry resources, reflecting Quatsino’s rights and title. Lions Gate has stepped forward in a fair and honest way and this agreement should set an example to other businesses operating in our territory.” said Chief James Nelson
Lions Gate Forest Products Ltd. is one of the companies that form Lemare Group, a 36-year-old organization with North Island origins. The business lines focus on tenure management, forestry, heavy civil construction, engineering and environmental reclamation services.
Ken Johnson, an Indigenous businessperson and General Manager of Lions Gate Forest Products Ltd for 15 years said “We are delighted that the Quatsino Nation has chosen to partner with Lions Gate. It has been my pleasure to work with the current Quatsino Forestry team for many years and we couldn’t ask for a better business partner.”
Johnson continued “We have learned, we have grown, and we have changed as an organization. We are attempting, every day, to better understand the spirit of reconciliation and provide equity in our relationship with our First Nations hosts and partners. We thank all who have worked with us through this process and have had the conversations that allow for this type of opportunity to emerge. Gilakas’la.”
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For more information, please contact Chief James Nelson: chief@quatsinofn.ca or Eric Dutcyvich, Manager of Lemare Group eric@lemare.ca
Photograph: Chief James Nelson of Quatsino Nation and Eric Dutcyvich of Lemare Group at signing of landmark tenure management deal.
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