Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation Signs Forest Management Agreements with 2 Major Lumber Producers

On Friday (6-24-22), The Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation signed forest management agreements with two major lumber producers who harvest timber in the First Nation’s traditional territory near Fort St. James.

The Nak’azdli Whut’en Development Corporation is heavily involved in forest-related industries in the region, including the 40-megawatt BioNorth Energy power generating facility in Fort St. James, which converts wood waste to electricity. The arrangements announced Friday will strengthen that connection to the two large companies to ensure forest operations remain viable as major employers for the people in Fort St. James region.

The two separate agreements are between the people of the Nak’azdli Whut’en Frist Nation, Carrier Lumber and Dunkley Lumber and establish a framework for collaborative planning process that will protect and preserve vulnerable wildlife populations and ensure sustainable harvesting of forests that for more than 20 years were ravaged by the mountain pine beetle. As part of the agreement, Carrier Lumber will help the First Nation manage its own forest licenses.