Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation (SXFN) in the Cariboo has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with West Fraser to provide a forest management framework which will benefit both parties.
The MOU provides a clearer path forward for West Fraser to continue business while ensuring the economic and cultural values and concerns of SXFN are met.
“This shows that we are in the forefront of stewardship of the land,” said Kateri Koster, special projects advisor with SXFN's stewardship department. She said fibre security is a real issue in the region, but the support for local mills needs to be reconciled with the values of SXFN, such as managing forest stands in a way which helps with wildfire protection.
Koster said the MOU will allow the two parties to work proactively while looking at the bigger picture. Historically, collaboration took place in a more transactional, "boots on the ground" way. If something was happening on SXFN's territory, they wanted to be a part of it. The MOU, Koster said, is a stepping stone to move beyond this status quo: "We get to look more holistically at our territory, at the landscape, and manage at a higher level."
The memorandum has been in the planning since 2020 and was signed on Sept. 27. However, Koster said she would be remiss not to mention the years of work that have made room for these sorts of agreements today.
“This is something First Nations have been asking for for a long time,” Koster said. Agreements like this one, she added, require relationship building which doesn’t happen overnight. She said without previous folk working "in the trenches" to stand up for the values of SXFN and other communities, the current political climate would probably not have allowed for this sort of agreement.
Describing the MOU as aiming to go "above and beyond status quo," Koster said "These types of agreements demonstrate that industry is kind of catching up and finally...meeting us part way as respectful partners."
Marilyn Camille was Kukpi7 (chief) of SXFN at the time this agreement was signed and said it will support SXFN priorities and values long-term. “These agreements mark a new era of partnership, mutual respect, economic opportunities and are positive examples of generating value through partnership," she said.
Jeff Mycock is chief forester at West Fraser and said the company continues to work on building meaningful relationships with SXFN. “Our work to date recognizes the importance of the SXFN in leading the forest resource management in their territory,” he said.
