The Province has issued a First Nations woodland licence to Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, enhancing employment and economic opportunities in the region, Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

This 25-year First Nations woodland licence allows the Lheidli T’enneh to harvest 25,000 cubic metres of timber per year from their traditional territory. The agreement includes two parcels, covering 7,197 hectares, of Crown land near Tabor Mountain and Sugar Bowl – Grizzly Den Provincial Park respectively, in B.C.’s north-central Interior.

This is the fourth First Nations woodland licence issued since the Province began the program in 2011. These area-based, direct-award forest licences give First Nations a stronger role in forest and land stewardship and make it easier for First Nations forest companies to secure investment and loans.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations –

“Congratulations to the Lheidli T’enneh on their First Nations woodland licence. This licence improves their opportunity to manage forests and engage in resource stewardship according to traditional land use practices.”

Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount –

“This woodland licence will ensure that the Lheidli T'enneh have an additional tool to help them grow the economy and increase benefits for families in their community.”

Dominic Frederick, Chief, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation –

“On behalf of the Lheidli T’enneh Band, I welcome the award of the woodland licence. This new licence will contribute to the Band’s overall forestry program which provides significant benefits to the Lheidli T’enneh community. We thank the government for the award of this licence so that we may manage the forest lands in this licence that are within our traditional territory.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province currently has 115 forest consultation and revenue-sharing agreements and 104 forest tenure opportunities agreements with First Nations throughout B.C.
• Since 2003, B.C. First Nations have received 88 million cubic metres of timber and over $384 million in revenue sharing.
• First Nations woodland licences have also been awarded to the Huu-ay-aht First Nation and the Wei Wai Kum First Nation on Vancouver Island, and the Canim Lake Indian Band in the Cariboo.

Learn More:

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation: http://www.lheidli.ca

First Nations forestry agreements: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/first-nations-negotiations

B.C.’s strategy for continued growth in the forest sector “Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia”: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/Forest_Strategy_WEB.PDF

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