shishalh Nation and Interfor Corp. Fortify Economic Relations and Further Reconciliation in BC

On Thursday (8-18-22), the shishalh Nation and Interfor Corporation issued a joint press release announcing that on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, they had taken another critical step in advancing their economic relationship and supporting the economic vision of the shishalh Nation.

In 2017, shishalh and Interfor fundamentally transformed their work together through a new Relationship Agreement which set out a path for shared decision-making and economic development. shishalh Nation also set the goal of furthering economic development through the forest sector and being the largest forestry tenure holder. The shishalh made this goal clear, and both parties began the work of transforming their relationship in light of that goal. Crown laws and policies have resulted in shishalh long being deprived of its proper jurisdictional, stewardship, and economic relationship with the resources of the shishalh swiya (world, lands, “Territory”) consistent with shishalh Title and Rights. The shishalh – Province of British Columbia Foundation Agreement signed in 2018 included goals to dramatically expand shishalh’s forestry economy; shishalh acquiring additional annual volume is one essential aspect of achieving this goal.

On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, they are deepening the relationship and making a drastic step in achieving shishalh’s desires through the purchase of 100,000m3 of annual volume from Interfor. The purchase is being supported through funds provided by the Province of British Columbia through the Foundation Agreement. The tenure purchase has been approved by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests and marks a milestone in the relationship between shishalh Nation and Interfor.