Memorandum of Understanding Strengthens Secwepemc Value-Added Supply Chain

A press release on Friday (5-6-22) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between B.C.’s Adams Lake Indian Band (ALIB), Gilbert Smith Forest Products (GSFP), and Woodtone Specialties (WSI). The MOU establishes a framework for the three parties to identify opportunities for cooperation, joint ventures, and shared decision making.

ALIB is a primary lumber manufacturer in GSFP and a secondary remanufacturer in WSI. The relationship will promote fiber security, value-added manufacturing, and long-term local employment.

The MOU will reinforce existing relationships and guide work going forward to achieve mutual objectives. The three parties’ objectives include increased development of regional and local economies, supporting ongoing forest management and manufacturing/remanufacturing work, sustainable utilization and management of the environment and its natural resources, and exploring ongoing opportunities for future development.

This partnership represents committing to a supply chain linkage from the forest through to high value finished products that are produced exclusively on Secwepemc territory in the interior of British Columbia.

The intent is to create a direct relationship between Indigenous Forest tenures, a primary manufacturer, and a major value-added wood products manufacturer that all operate within 200 km of each other. This collaboration represents the ideal forest-to-finished product business model and executes the partners’ shared vision for the future of forestry in British Columbia.

All three partners are pleased to be elkstwecw (working together) and are committed to a long-standing relationship built on trust and respect.