Tolko and Splatsin further partnership with letter of intent
January 12, 2018
By P&PC Staff
Jan. 12, 2018 - Tolko Industries and Splatsin, the southern-most community of the 17 that make up the Secwepemc Nation, have further strengthened their long-standing relationship with the signing of a letter of intent (LOI).
The two have been working together since 2008 to manage issues and develop opportunities.
The LOI outlines the establishment of a joint administration area; the development of strategies and plans to manage Splatsin’s and Tolko’s relationship; the establishment of business, employment and joint venture opportunities; and building capacity for long-term sustainable employment.
“Working with Splatsin has been a very positive experience,” said Brad Thorlakson, Tolko president and CEO. “Over the past eight years, through open dialogue, we have worked together on land management issues, forest administration areas, and procurement opportunities. This LOI further strengthens our relationship. As a company, we believe partnerships such as this are the way of the future and we look forward to working with Splatsin and with other Indigenous communities in the areas where we operate.”
“The LOI with Tolko and Splatsin moves us towards a model of joint planning and management of a portion of our territory,” said Chief Kukpi7 Wayne Christian. “Our ancestral leaders in 1910 said ‘These people wish to be partners with us in our country. We must, therefore, be the same as brothers to them, and live as one family. We will share equally in everything — half and half — in land, water, and timber, etc. What is ours will be theirs, and what is theirs will be ours. We will help each other to be great and good.’”
Barry Gladders, Tolko general manager of BC Woodlands, says building partnerships with Indigenous communities that are based on collaboration and trust is an important element of Tolko’s business model.
Print this page
