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PORT MCNEILL – A forestry agreement will support the
Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation’s efforts to
rebuild their community of Gwa-yas-dums on Gilford Island, Forests and Range
Minister Pat Bell announced today.
“The Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish
are well on their way to rebuilding Gwa-Yas-Dums, thanks to their strong, solution-based leadership,” added Bell. “Their spirit and dedication are the foundation of a
great community and demonstrate how forestry succeeds when we all work
together.”
The Interim Measure Agreement provides the
Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation
with the right to harvest 4,100 cubic metres over five years. The Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish plan to use
the revenue generated from this agreement, along with $520,000 in accrued revenue sharing from a 2004 Forest and Range
Agreement, to help construct 26 new homes in the village of
Gwa-Yas-Dums. The homes will form a new
sub-division, which is located near the existing village on a site better
suited to mitigate the risk of slides and flooding. Construction on the homes
is likely to begin in spring 2009.
“We are very happy with Ministry of Forests staff at the Port McNeill
Office for their creative energies in arriving at a way for the ministry to
assist our First Nation in the rebuilding of our village,” said Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First
Nation Chief Bob Chamberlin. “Our Comprehensive Community Plan received an
award from the National Institute of Planners in 2007 and this has assisted us
in securing key partnerships, with more to come.”
The Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish
are partnering with the federal government, Interfor and the Canadian Auto
Workers Union to rebuild Gwa-Yas-Dums after the village’s homes were condemned
due to extensive mould. A reverse osmosis water purification plant opened in
Gwa-Yas-Dums in January 2008 as part of a federally funded project that also
included new diesel generators for power, two new wells and broadband Internet
services. Gilford Island is off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.
Since September 2002, the
Province has signed agreements with 153 First Nations providing $223.8 million
in revenue-sharing and access to 35.5 million cubic metres of timber.
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Contact: |
Vivian Thomas Communications Manager Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-5728 |
Chief Bob Chamberlin Kwicksutaineuk
Ah-kwa-mish First Nation 250 974-8282 |
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