Government, forest industry, and First Nation communities gathered today
[PRINCE ALBERT, SK] October 14, 2010—Government, forest industry, and First Nation communities gathered today to announce the formation of a unique partnership to manage the Prince Albert Forest Management Area.
Sakâw Askiy Management Inc. [Sakâw] includes six companies with forest operations, plus two additional First Nation partners. Sakâw Askiy, Cree for “forest land”, will maintain an office in Prince Albert and act as the point of access for the Province, public, and other forest users of the Prince Albert Forest Management Area (PA FMA).
Government played a key role in this new management model being formed, noted Sakâw President Dave Knight.
“On behalf of the partners, I commend Minister Boyd and Premier Wall for having a new vision for the Saskatchewan forest industry and recommending us to be part of it,” said Knight, who is also Prairie Regional Woodlands Manager for Tolko Industries Ltd. Tolko is the operating partner of Meadow Lake OSB, one of several mills in the area that will receive a sustainable allocation of fibre from the PA FMA.
“I also thank Bob Ruggles, Associate Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Resources, and Bob Wynes, Ministry of Environment, along with their teams for their tireless work on this process over the past year,” said Knight.
Sakâw will hire a general manager to ensure the strategic and administrative commitments meet the expectations of the shareholders and regulatory authorities.
“This long term agreement brings a unique, sustainable approach to forest land management, providing needed supply and supporting related employment throughout the region,” said Terry Kuzma, Woodlands Manager, Carrier Lumber Ltd.
Development of the Sakâw model and associated FMA assignment process began over a year ago.
“Sakâw represents a new working relationship, recognizing the value each partner brings and the role of government in building an innovative, competitive forest industry in Northern Saskatchewan,” said Bob Gerow, Executive Director, Agency Chiefs Tribal Council.
Partners of Sakâw include:
· A.C. Forestry Ltd. (Agency Chiefs Tribal Council)
· Carrier Forest Products Ltd.
· Edgewood Forest Products Inc.
· L&M Forest Products Limited Partnership
· Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp Inc.
· Meadow Lake OSB Limited Partnership (operated by majority partner Tolko Industries)
· Montreal Lake Business Ventures Ltd. (Montreal Lake Cree Nation )
· Norsask P.A. Forestry Inc. (NorSask Forest Products )
Contact
Dave Knight President, Sakâw Askiy Management Inc.
780 805 3840 | 780 805 4617
