Representatives of B.C. First Nations reiterated their frustration and surprise Tuesday over a historic agreement reached between environmental groups and forest companies earlier this year to help protect the country's vast boreal forest.
The First Nations groups - including the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, which represents eight bands west of Prince George - are unhappy because they were not involved in the three-year renewable agreement, in which environmental groups like Green Peace and the David Suzuki Foundation agreed to suspend do-not-buy campaigns targeted at companies logging in the boreal forest. In return, the companies agreed to suspend logging within 29 million hectares of boreal forest, representing virtually all mountain and woodland caribou habitat, to allow time to come up with an intensive caribou protection plan.
"As First Nations, we were kind of floored that industry would sign with environmental groups when they have no title and rights to your lands," Carrier Sekani Tribal Council chief David Luggi told First Nations attending a national First Nations boreal meeting in Prince George.
The three-day session attended on Day One by about 50 people, which continues Wednesday and Thursday, also includes representatives of the forest industry and environmental groups.
Luggi said the agreement between environmental groups and the forest industry, including northern-B.C. heavyweight Canfor Corp., was particularly surprising as the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council was unable to reach a regional-level co-operation and benefits agreement with Canfor several years ago, said Luggi.
He described the three-day meeting as an exploratory session to help First Nations decide on how they want to proceed over the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement. Part of the agenda includes consideration of an indigenous people's Canadian boreal declaration.
The declaration includes a demand that First Nation's consent be obtained prior to any policies or legislation being enacted that may impact Aboriginal and treaty rights within the boreal region.
The boreal session attracted Union of B.C. Indian Chief president Stewart Philip and Jody Wilson, who is the Assembly of First Nations' B.C. representative.
Phillip had an even stronger perspective on the boreal agreement, saying he was absolutely shocked the agreement was reached without First Nations input. He said he was not particularly impressed with the boreal agreement because it doesn't consider First Nations people.
The agreement commits 21 companies and nine environmental groups to work towards sustainable, third-party verifiable practices in the boreal forest; completion of a network of protected areas; recovery of species at risk including boreal caribou; reduction of greenhouse gases; and improved prospects for the Canadian forest sector and its communities.
The companies involved also include northern B.C. players West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., Tolko Industries Ltd., Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership and Tembec Inc.
