Gitxsan Chiefs invest 1.5 Million in local forest industry

Gitxsan Traditional Territory/Hazelton BC – The office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs announced a 1.5 Million dollar investment in Gitxsan Forest Enterprises Inc. (GFEI) The investment allows GFEI to create much needed jobs, hire a new General Manager, and maintain the Kispiox Forest Licence. The Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs are 100% shareholders of GFEI.

"Despite a forest industry that sees job losses continuing province-wide it is encouraging to see Gitxsan Forest Enterprises continuing to position itself for an eventual resurgence," said Brian Williams, President Gitxsan Forest Enterprises, "The forest industry is continually evolving and those that survive and prosper will be the ones who are the best prepared. This forest licence is for the benefit of all Gitxsan people. It has the potential to be an economic driver for our area."

GFEI is currently seeking to hire a new General Manager to help the company manage the Gitxsan Forest Licence which has an annual allowable cut of close to 388,000 cubic metres from the Kispiox Timber Supply Area.

"We are looking for an innovative thinker, someone who will put GFEI on the leading edge of the forest industry," said Julie Morrison, also a Director with GFEI, "The investment from the Hereditary Chiefs will allow us to seek the best possible candidate moving forward." Once the GM is hired, GFEI will also be hiring in the area of Woodlands, Silviculture, Roads and Maintenance, Fire Fighting, and Marketing.

About Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs

The courts have ruled that the Gitxsan have a strong claim of rights and a good claim of title to 33,000 sq km of territory controlled by their ancient land tenure system for at least 10,000 years.

About Gitxsan Forest Enterprises Inc.

Gitxsan Forest Enterprises Inc. (GFEI) is owned and operated by the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs whose traditional territory encompasses nearly 30,000 square kilometres of forests in the north western region of British Columbia. GFEI was established in 2006 and purchased Forest License A16831 in April of 2007. The company has an Annual Allowable Cut of 387,879 cubic meters from the Kispiox Timber Supply Area.

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