VERNON, British Columbia – At a recent ceremony, leaders from Tolko Industries and the Nations of the North Peace Tribal Council – including Beaver First Nation, Dene Tha’ First Nation, Little Red River Cree Nation and the Tallcree First Nation – gathered to sign a Letter of Understanding that provides the foundation for the pursuit of the collaborative management of the respective forest tenures in the Treaty 8 and North Peace Nation’s Territory in northwestern Alberta as well as a stewardship plan for the area.
While still in the formative stages of discussion, the vision of the relationship is to possibly support the Government of Alberta planning objectives by amalgamating the respective tenures and to plan resource development, conservation and protection in a collaborative manner.
This innovative concept will enroll the participation of Environmental Non-Government Organizations in the development of the stewardship plan, to conserve and protect ecosystems and ensure that compliance is achieved for the Federal Species at Risk Act for Woodland Caribou, Wood Bison and other species such as the Sandhill Crane. It also supports, and is supported by, the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA), to promote a collaborative approach to achieving both conservation and economic prosperity.
Representing Tolko Industries for the signing was Brad Thorlakson, President and CEO. Representing the North Peace Tribal Council were Chief Trevor Mercredi, Beaver First Nations; Grand Chief Joe Pastion, Dene Tha’ First Nation; Chief Gus Loonskin, Little Red River Cree Nation; and Chief Rupert Meneen, Tallcree First Nation. Representing the North Peace Tribal Council was Cameron Alexis, CEO.
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Photo, L to R: Chief Trevor Mercredi, Beaver First Nations; Brad Thorlakson, President and CEO Tolko Industries; Grand Chief Joe Pastion, Dene Tha’ First Nation; Chief Rupert Meneen, Tallcree First Nation; Chief Gus Loonskin, Little Red River Cree Nation; and Cameron Alexis, CEO North Peace Tribal Council.
