shíshálh Nation has expanded its forestry economy with the purchase of 10,000 cubic metres of annual volume from A&A Trading Ltd. with funding from the provincial government.
A Jan. 28 press release from the nation announced the purchase, which is part of the goals set by the Foundation Agreement, signed in 2018, of “dramatically expanding” shíshálh’s forestry economy. The release said shíshálh “acquiring additional annual volume is one essential aspect of achieving this goal.”
“This is another important step in expanding our economy and opportunities for our members. For too long, we were on the sidelines while our resources were managed and harvested by others. This important step by A&A Trading – who has shown strong leadership in transforming their relationship with us – is one example of how things are changing in ways that support a changed future. We are grateful to partners like A&A Trading who are walking this path with us”, said hiwus Warren Paull of shíshálh Nation in the release.
The release states shíshálh Nation and A&A Trading Ltd. “fundamentally transformed their work together with a new Relationship Agreement” in 2018, and this purchase is a continuation of that work. Under the relationship agreement, Tsain-Ko will manage the new licence volume, A&A Trading Ltd. told Coast Reporter in an email.
“Our partnership with shíshálh is an important example of how business can participate in advancing reconciliation. We are very proud of the work we have done together and are grateful for shíshálh’s leadership creating predictability and new opportunities for our business, for shíshálh, and for the well-being of all residents of the swiya. We look forward to a bright future working together and continuing to expand our partnership,” John Mohammed, president of A&A Trading Ltd., said in the release.
The volume will likely be harvested within the swiya, shíshálh territory, as the forest licence can be harvested anywhere in the Sunshine Coast Timber Supply Area from Langdale to Bute Inlet, Makenzie Leine of A&A Trading Ltd. told Coast Reporter. A portion of the swiya is included in this timber supply area.
The annual volume of 10,000 cubic metres equates to about 200 to 300 truckloads of logs, complementing shíshálh’s existing licences and expanding the nation’s operational activity. Depending on the harvest area that is selected, the volume could be used for many wood manufacturing purposes such as pulp, veneer, lumber or cultural wood, Leine said.
