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Landmark forestry agreement Deninu Ku'e First Nation and Metis in Fort Resolution sign memo of understanding
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 1, 2013
DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on forest management has been signed by two aboriginal organizations in Fort Resolution.
The MOU was signed on June 21 - Aboriginal Day - by Deninu Ku'e First Nation (DKFN) and the Fort Resolution Metis Council, making it the first time the organizations have decided to co-operate to such a large degree.
Kara King, president of the Metis Council, said the two sides have agreed to work together on forest management issues under a five-year agreement.
The two sides will now formalize an agreement and then form a company that will hold the forest management agreement and do the forestry work, which King described as pretty much everything to do with the trees.
"There is more work to be done. Part of the MOU is how to structure things," she said, noting there is a steering committee that includes members of the First Nation and the Metis Council.
Both King and DKFN Chief Louis Balsillie said one of the reasons for the MOU is a wood pellet plant being proposed for Enterprise by Hay River businessman Brad Mapes.
King said the pellet plant was not the MOU's driving factor for the Metis Council.
"That's part of it, but it isn't the only reason for it," she said, noting there could be other customers for the forest resources.
Balsillie was more definitive that the proposed pellet plant in Enterprise would eventually be a major buyer of wood from the Fort Resolution area.
"We're not going to be looking for much for our own little portable mill we have. Just enough to keep us busy," he said, adding talks have been held with the pellet mill proponent, but no agreement has been signed.
The chief said there could be many spin-offs from the MOU, such as possibly a wood marshalling yard which could buy wood off local people and resell it as firewood.
Both leaders were pleased with the agreement.
"This is the first one. It was a big deal for us because they're a part of Akaitcho and we're part of the Northwest Territory Metis Nation, and there's a lot of friction there," said King.
The Metis Council president said her group has been wanting to work together with the DKFN for a long time.
She called the MOU a positive thing for Fort Resolution.
"It's basically for the whole community to benefit," she said.
Balsillie said he was also happy with the agreement, adding he had always supported the two organizations working together.
Now that the first-of-its-kind agreement has been signed, he said, "I hope it continues."
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