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Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal Forestry firm pledges hands-off policy for land The Grassy Narrows First Nation and environmental group Earthroots are applauding a renewed commitment by Domtar Corp. to steer clear of the Kenora-area First Nation‘s traditional territory. In a statement obtained by Earthroots, Domtar‘s manager of forest planning and environment Keith Ley states that he can “confirm that Domtar does not procure wood from the Grassy Narrows traditional territory, nor do we intend to procure wood from this traditional territory area until the outstanding issues are resolved.” Domtar is the third major forest products company in the region to commit not to source wood from Grassy Narrows traditional territory following Boise‘s commitment in February 2008, and AbitibiBowater‘s commitment in June 2008. However, Earthroots says Weyerhaeuser Corp., which owns the Trus Joist Timberstrand LSL engineered lumber mill in Kenora, continues to press for access to wood regardless of the outcome of ongoing negotiations between Grassy Narrows and the province. “Weyerhaeuser now stands alone as the only major logger who refuses to respect our right to say ’no‘ to logging on our territory,” Grassy Narrows resident Joseph Fobister said in a news release. On Dec. 2, 2002, Grassy Narrows established a blockade on an area logging road, sparking the longest standing indigenous logging blockade in Canadian history. |
