The Tsay Keh Dene Nation, through its business subsidiary Tsay Keh Dene Limited Partnership, announced Monday the purchase of a subdivided forestry harvest licence from Canadian Forest Products (Canfor). The licence specifies an annual allowable cut of 432,072 cubic metres.
The acquisition follows two years of negotiations between Canfor and Tsay Keh Dene and positions the nation as one of the largest tenure holders in the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area.
Tsay Keh Dene Chief Johnny Pierre described the agreement as a “win-win” for both industry and local communities.
“The agreement with Canfor to purchase forest tenure and woodlands assets in Mackenzie is a concrete example of how good faith efforts to work together for mutual benefit can produce positive results, even in challenging times,” Pierre said in a news release.
Pierre highlighted that the deal demonstrates the feasibility of partnering with major forestry companies to secure logging rights that benefit local communities. Tsay Keh Dene is located 182 kilometres north of Mackenzie.
“Despite provincial policies that have created obstacles for the forest sector and efforts by Tsay Keh Dene and other Indigenous communities to increase their participation, Tsay Keh Dene has worked for years to build constructive, non-adversarial relationships with the forest industry,” Pierre added.
The agreement is expected to generate timber for local mills and create jobs in the region.
Stephen Mackie, Canfor’s executive vice president of North American operations, expressed satisfaction with the deal.
“Building on our long-standing relationships, Canfor is pleased to have reached this arrangement that will expand the Nation’s participation in the forest economy and stewardship of forest resources in the region,” Mackie said. “We believe this agreement will support improved fibre access in the TSA and generate significant economic benefits for local and regional communities.”
