Native Forestry Firms Want Say On Softwood Deal

Native Forestry Firms Want Say On Softwood Deal

Friday, October 06, 2006 at 14:37

A First Nations forestry analyst says Indian bands should have been at the bargaining table when the current softwood lumber agreement was drawn up.

Harry Bombay of the National Aboriginal Forestry Association says forestry policies influence how land is treated by government, and that often impacts First Nations.

He notes Canada has at least 40 First Nations forestry groups.

He says their insight and concerns should have been taken into account.

Bombay says trappers and berry harvesters will have different views on how the land should be used, but maintains most everyone agrees trade negotiations impact First Nations land users.

He has written a letter to international trade minister David Emerson over the issue.