Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Tolko Industries sign milestone relationship agreement
SASKATCHEWAN — The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) and Tolko Industries Ltd. (Tolko) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will establish a guiding framework to support the continued collaboration and partnership between the MLTC and Tolko.
The five-year MOU will assist the parties in working together to advance matters of mutual interest in the areas of forestry activities, business development, procurement, employment, training and more. The MOU will also facilitate discussion and collaboration on forest stewardship activities within MLTC’s territory and demonstrates the commitment of both parties to building a thriving and sustainable forest economy.
“I am pleased to sign this MOU with Tolko,” says Vice Chief Richard Derocher. “It is long overdue. Years of lost opportunity are behind us. This MOU marks the start of a new positive relationship between MLTC and Tolko.”
“This is a meaningful step forward for our partnership with MLTC and I am humbled by the opportunity to be here signing this agreement on behalf of Tolko,” says Janis Simpkins, Tolko’s Vice-President of Indigenous & Government Relations and Sustainability. “This agreement is a demonstration of MLTC’s and Tolko’s commitment to one another as we continue to work towards our shared ambitions.”
About Meadow Lake Tribal Council
The MLTC began in 1981 when the First Nations of Northwest Saskatchewan united to form the Meadow Lake District Chiefs Joint Venture, which became officially known as the MLTC in 1996. The MLTC works as an advocate for the nine First Nations that make up its membership, including five Cree First Nations and four Dene First Nations. The nine First Nations that currently form the MLTC are Birch Narrows Dene Nation, Buffalo River Dene Nation, Canoe Lake Cree Nation, Clearwater River Dene Nation, English River First Nation, Flying Dust First Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation and Waterhen Lake First Nation.
About Tolko Industries Ltd.
Tolko is a world-class value-added forest products manufacturer headquartered in Western Canada, offering a wide and growing range of forest products to customers around the world. For nearly 70 years, Tolko has remained a private, family-owned, and values-driven workplace dedicated to people, products, and communities. Tolko recognizes and respects the rights, history and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and is committed to increasing Indigenous participation in forestry through partnership with the Indigenous communities where we operate.
