(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Glenn Hicks

forestry

Major forestry announcement set for Prince Albert and North

Jun 8, 2021 | 5:51 PM

Cumberland House Cree Nation (CHCN) will make an announcement Thursday in Prince Albert which could have a significant bearing on Saskatchewan’s forestry sector as well as global carbon management.

CHCN, which is in the northern part of the province, is seeking to assert more environmental and economic control of the Saskatchewan River Delta, which is on their traditional lands. The huge region is the largest inland river delta in North America and one of the biggest on the planet.

CHCN said it will present ‘Delta Day’ on Thursday, celebrating the beauty and history of the delta, while also highlighting the important global asset and presenting a path forward to protect and sustain the assets of the region.

While details will be offered Thursday, Aaron Kuchirka, the CEO of Cumberland Wood Products (CWP)—which is owned by CHCN—told paNOW the company is excited to support CHCN’s “pursuit of continued utilization of the delta for both conservation and for their own economic and social benefit.”

Kuchirka said shareholders of CWP would work with the community to help them realize the economic opportunity of the resources within their traditional land base.

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“They’re eager to work with the provincial and federal governments to help realize national and provincial projects that impact the delta but also serve all peoples of Saskatchewan and Canada,” he said.

He added the delta ultimately is vital for the entire world in terms of global carbon management.

Asked what impact Thursday’s announcement would have on the local forestry sector, he said CWP has a direct relationship with Paper Excellence, the owners of the currently shuttered pulp mill in Prince Albert, and supports their restart. He said CWP can also benefit others.

“We believe the work we’re doing can help enable additional forest and timber resources in the province to become available for manufacturing in Prince Albert and other centres,” he said.

Cumberland Wood Products, on behalf of Cumberland House Cree Nation, has requested tenure from the province on a previously unallocated area adjacent to the Cumberland Delta.

Kuchirka said they are awaiting further discussions with Regina about the forest management of that area.

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glenn.hicks@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow