After negotiations with Daniel D. Veniez, President and Chief Financial Officer of Northwest BC Timbre & Pulp, to show good faith, Simogyet Gwagl’lo agreed to open up the access road to West Kitsuns Cut Block 175, situated on his extended family’s traditional territory within the Gitsegukla Valley, to allow NWBCTP contractors to haul away timbre already cut, using Gitxsan truckers, while Paul Veltmeyer, SCI operations manager, secures a location to store pulp logs at issue for Gwagl’lo. As well, the Gitxsan proposed that the West Kitsuns cut block 175 be reassessed in terms of Gitxsan values at SCI’s cost.
After Elmer Derrick, negotiator for Gwagl’lo, argued the urgency of rehabilitating the diminishing fibre basket, the need for a sustainable forest, the need to forge a partnership, he reiterated “The Gitxsan are interested in acquiring the Carnaby operation and attached licenses.” Veniez’ responded “…without hesitation, I’m prepared to sell Carnaby for a dollar.” Veniez told the Gitxsan he had spent considerable time in Victoria dealing with the fibre basket. Certain that policy reform is coming down to rehabilitate the forests, and confident that the provincial government will execute the aboriginal agenda of its throne speech, and there will be a deal on soft wood and chips, Veniez assured the Gitxsan that he is making progress and is in the process of putting together a management team to execute his company’s business plan.
Veniez appealed to the Gitxsan, “With respect to (aboriginal) title, I want to be your partner. I’ve been true to that view for two years … We need to get treaties done in BC … (because) financial markets hate uncertainty and inertia.”
Veniez will urge the Ministry of Forests to move the meeting with Bob Friesen, the lead negotiator on behalf of the province to develop a consultation and accommodation agreement with the Gitxsan respecting the change of control of Skeena Cellulose Inc (SCI) arising from the December 10, 2002 Yal et al v. MOF Supreme Court of BC Decisions by Justice Tysoe, ahead. The Friesen meeting is currently scheduled for March 6, 2003 at which time the acquisition of the Carnaby assets, the export of raw logs out of the Hazelton area, and NWBC’s purchase agreement with West Fraser will also be discussed.
As per Simogyet Gwagl’lo instructions, contacts:
Elmer Derrick, Chief Negotiator, 1(250) 842-6780 local 319 or 1(250) 635-5532, email yoobx@gitxsan.com
Bev Clifton Percival, Negotiator, 1(250) 842-6780 local 370, email gwaans@gitxsan.com
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More information:
Elmer Derrick, Chief Negotiator; Bev Clifton Percival, Negotiator
Gitxsan Treaty Office
yoobx@gitxsan.com; gwaans@gitxsan.com
1(250)842-6780
Download file: "I WANT TO BE YOUR PARTNER: DANIEL VENIEZ, NWBC" Feb 26, 2003 News Release
