Stellat’en Chief Robert Michell says their first nation along with the Nadleh Whut’en are going to work with the community of Fraser Lake to try and find economic opportunities for some of the 175 workers impacted by the West Fraser Sawmill closure.
Michell told MyPGNow.com while the closure does not impact too many Indigenous residents from either band, it is still a major blow nonetheless.
“The blow is not as big as how it affects the municipality of Fraser Lake. I think between the two communities of Nadleh and ourselves, we have approximately eight or nine people that are employed – it’s not a huge number but it is a number, nevertheless, as some people do rely on that job.”
When asked if either or both First Nations are considering buying the mill to avoid the closure altogether, Michell added they need to peel back all of the layers first to make an informed decision.
“One thing we are going to look at is whether or not it makes sense. They have closed for a reason and we need to take a look as to why they have closed as well as look at the business as to whether or not it’s sustainable or not in its present state.”
He noted with more Indigenous communities getting into mining, LNG, and other natural resource projects, a methodical approach is needed to broaden their horizons.
“We are looking at more longer-term sustainable projects that would be here for a while and kind of try and avoid what happened here with the West Fraser sawmill where they were in here, took as much profit as they could and then left when there were no more resources to take.”
“We have partnerships with some of the local mining companies in the area and what has changed is a lot of the development that takes place is starting to look at the Indigenous lens and how that development will be sustainable versus the old industry-led lens where it’s getting there, get as much profit as you can and then leave.”
The sawmill is the economic engine of Fraser Lake, the villages of Stellaquo and Nadleh, and the surrounding region.
“We have been trying to make a difference in the forest industry, to ensure that we all have a future with this industry, and with one announcement, West Fraser ruined it,” said Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut’en. “If West Fraser is not interested in supporting the regional economy, then we need to ensure that the forest resources that they continue to control — the licenses themselves — are transferred to local interests,” he continued.
“Working collectively with industry and government, our Indigenous communities have ensured economic impacts from LNG benefit Northern BC. Innovative solutions to local forest industry problems will follow this positive trend.”
Stellat’en and Nadleh are calling on the province to extend further resources to their nations and the people of Fraser Lake to provide training to work in other sectors, temporary increases in funding to the municipality to maintain adequate levels of services, and investment in the local economy from small business development through to large-scale industrial projects.
The mill closure will reduce West Fraser’s Canadian lumber capacity by approximately 160 million board feet.
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