The Huu-ay-aht First Nation signed the first-ever First Nations' woodland licence with the Province of British Columbia at the B.C. Legislative Buildings today.

This new licence provides the Huu-ay-aht First Nation with the ability to harvest approximately 70,000 cubic metres of timber per year within a 9,500-hectare area next to their treaty settlement land, 10 km northeast of Bamfield. The licence will allow the Huu-ay-aht First Nation to have a larger say in the management of the land consistent with the culture and values of their community.

The First Nations' woodland licence is a new, long-term, area-based tenure. Long-term tenures, starting at 25 years, provide increased tenure security and improve First Nations' ability to secure investment and loans. The First Nations' woodland licence was a recommendation of the Working Roundtable on Forestry.

Under 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan', the provincial government is committed to advancing and concluding agreements with First Nations to provide certainty for investors and more opportunities for Aboriginal communities and families.

Map of Woodland Licence area: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/6432853901/

Photo of Huu-ay-aht worker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/6432827257/

Quick Facts:

• Huu-ay-aht First Nation's traditional territory is on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, near Bamfield.

• There are more than 700 citizens of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation, 15 of which currently work in forestry.

• The licence area is 9,500 hectares of Crown land. The area includes timber stands of hemlock, balsam, cedar and Douglas-fir.

Learn More:

Huu-ay-aht First Nation: http://www.huuayaht.org/

First Nations Forestry Agreements: http://www.newrelationship.gov.bc.ca/agreements_and_leg/forestry.html

Working Roundtable on Forestry: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestry_roundtable/

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Contact:

Vivian Thomas
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-2475