NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2011ARR0003-000363 April 11, 2011

Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Seabird Island Indian Band

 

Agreement secures future for Seabird Island forestry

 

SEABIRD ISLAND – Growing their forestry business and support for community development are two of the benefits from the Seabird Island Indian Band’s new Forestry Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreement.

 

Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and Attorney General Barry Penner, who is also the local MLA for Chilliwack-Hope, joined the Seabird Island Indian Band today to celebrate the signing of the new forestry agreement which will directly benefit the community’s social and economic development.

 

The new agreement has a three-year term. Seabird Island will receive $252,000 as an initial bridging payment from the old to the new model and approximately $230,000 in the first year of the agreement. Future payments will reflect the level of forestry activity in their traditional territory. As the forest industry rebounds, Seabird Island can receive greater amounts in the future.

 

 

Quotes:

 

Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

 

“This new approach to revenue-sharing is a significant change for First Nations in the forestry sector. It ensures that revenue from on-the-ground harvesting has a direct benefit on the future development of the Seabird Island community and all First Nations across B.C. who sign on to these agreements.”

 

Barry Penner, Attorney General and MLA for Chilliwack-Hope –

 

“As the MLA for Chilliwack-Hope, I am delighted to see my neighbours prosper. This agreement will ensure that social programs are supported and that members of the Seabird Island community have the means to further focus on their forestry business.”

 

Chief Clement Seymour, Seabird Island Indian Band –

 

“The Seabird Island community is proud of its partnership with British Columbia,” said Chief Clement Seymour.  “We are working together to build a more prosperous future not only for today, but for all our children, and this forestry agreement is another step forward on our joint journey.”

 

Quick Facts:

 

·         Forestry Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreements (FCRSA) replace the previous Forest and Range Opportunity Agreements (FRO), which based payments on a community’s population rather than linking them directly to harvesting activity. Since November 2010, B.C. has replaced 50 FROs with the new FCRSAs.

 

·         Since September 2002, the provincial government has signed agreements with 168 First Nations providing access to over 44 million cubic metres of timber and $243 million in revenue sharing. 

 

·         Seabird Island Indian Band is located in the upper Fraser Valley, three kilometres northeast of Agassiz.

 

Learn More:

 

To see a copy of the new agreement, visit http://www.newrelationship.gov.bc.ca/agreements_and_leg/forestry.html

 

 

Contact:

Karen Williams Communications Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation 250 360-6222 (cell)

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect