CANOE CREEK AND CANIM LAKE SECURE CROWN TIMBER

VICTORIA – The Province has signed forestry agreements with the Canoe Creek and Canim Lake Indian Bands that will strengthen their existing harvesting businesses and help manage the mountain pine beetle infestation, Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman announced today.

“These agreements support our goal of making First Nations full partners in the forest sector,” said Coleman. “They will also help the Province recover as much value as possible from beetle-attacked trees in the Cariboo.”

Together, the two bands will receive $2.9 million and access to 315,000 cubic metres of timber over five years. Canoe Creek’s share totals $1.5 million and 165,000 cubic metres of Crown wood. Canim Lake will receive $1.3 million and 150,000 cubic metres of timber. Both volumes will be harvested within the 100 Mile House Timber Supply Area.

“This agreement provides an important economic development opportunity for Canoe Creek,” said Chief Hank Adams. “It gives us the chance to increase our harvest levels and help guide sustainable forest management within our traditional territory.”

The Canoe Creek Indian Band consists of two rural communities at Dog Creek and Canoe Creek, southwest of Williams Lake. Its two logging groups and silviculture branch currently employ about 10 band members.

The Canim Lake Indian Band is located on the shores of Canim Lake, east of 100 Mile House and Lac La Hache. It runs one harvesting company, Teniye Logging Ltd., which directly employs five band members.

“With this agreement, we will build on our existing forestry programs and industry partnerships,” said Canim Lake Chief Mike Archie. “That’s good news, not only for band members but the broader community as well.”

Since 2002, the Province has reached agreements with 116 First Nations, providing access to 20.8 million cubic metres of timber and $152.2 million in revenue.

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Reference #: 2006FOR0109-001095

Date released: Sep 8, 2006

Region: Province Wide

Category: General

Contact(s):

Jennifer McLarty

Ministry of Forests and Range

250 387-4592

Hank Adams

Chief, Canoe Creek Indian Band

250 440-5645

Mike Archie

Chief, Canim Lake Indian Band

250 397-2227

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