Grassy Narrows and the Whiskey Jack Forest
In May 2008, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield and Grassy Narrows First Nation Chief Simon Fobister signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) reflecting a commitment to build a strong, positive, long-term relationship. Weyerhaeuser has supported resolution of the Grassy Narrows First Nation’s differences with the province, and we support the MOU.
Weyerhaeuser operates a state-of-the-art TimberStrand® laminated strand lumber mill in Kenora, Ontario. The mill draws most of its supply of hardwood fiber from two surrounding forest management areas: the Kenora Forest, licensed by the province to Weyerhaeuser, and the Whiskey Jack Forest, licensed by the province to AbitibiBowater.
Grassy Narrows has had long-running differences with the province over a number of historic issues, one of which is the management of the Whiskey Jack Forest. Company leaders, including the president of Weyerhaeuser, urged Premier McGuinty to work with Grassy Narrows at the highest level. We were supportive when, in September 2007, Premier McGuinty, in cooperation with Chief Fobister, appointed former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci to identify the concerns of the Grassy Narrows community and advise the ministry on addressing those concerns. We extended our full cooperation to Justice Iacobucci in his work.
Having reached agreement on the MOU, provincial officials and Grassy Narrows leaders are now moving forward to implement the recommendations of Justice Iacobucci, developing a "shorter-term working agreement to improve the understanding and cooperation between Grassy Narrows and the ministry on the sustainable management of forest resources in the Whiskey Jack Forest while respecting the rights and interests of others."
As stated in the press release announcing the MOU, the details and timeframes of the working agreement are expected to be completed between August and November of this year. The working agreement will establish the framework for activities extending over several years, such as "completing a traditional use study, completing an environmental inventory that includes traditional knowledge, identifying economic and capacity-building opportunities to increase the participation of Grassy Narrows First Nation in the forest economy, and launching a pilot project to develop ways to integrate Grassy Narrows' traditional uses and areas of cultural significance with forest management activities.” The results of the work will be used to negotiate a long-term agreement between the province and Grassy Narrows.
AbitibiBowater has announced its intention to surrender its license to the Whiskey Jack Forest. Weyerhaeuser’s TimberStrand® mill depends on a sustainable supply of hardwood from the Whiskey Jack Forest for about 40 percent of its requirements. In response to requests from environmental and First Nations organizations, Weyerhaeuser continues to explore alternative wood sources, most of which are from more distant and costly areas or do not provide fiber of suitable quality. As the Ontario government and Grassy Narrows negotiate the working agreement, Weyerhaeuser is encouraging the parties to find innovative solutions that address other local interests, including the Kenora mill.
The Kenora mill is important to the community, as it directly and indirectly employs over one thousand people in the region, with an overall economic impact exceeding $60 million each year. The mill also reflects Weyerhaeuser's commitment to building mutually beneficial relationships with aboriginal communities. First Nations served on a special steering committee during construction of the mill, helping Weyerhaeuser recruit and maintain a long-term workforce that is 20-25 percent aboriginal.
Weyerhaeuser respects the rights of aboriginal peoples. Read about our policy and framework for building relationships with Canada's aboriginal peoples. We are committed to supporting the framework and processes agreed to by the province and Grassy Narrows to find lasting and inclusive solutions to the issues around the Whiskey Jack Forest, based on the principles stated by Justice Iacobucci of mutual respect, understanding, participation and accountability.
