Wolastoqey Nation, AV Group ink deal on forest co-management, rights recognition

AV Group NB and the six Wolastoqey First Nations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines a path toward mutually-beneficial forest management and economic development opportunities.

“This is a historic step toward partnership between private industry and the Wolastoqey who have stewarded this land since time immemorial. This is a significant step towards respecting our Aboriginal title,” said Chief Ross Perley of Neqotkuk.

The parties have agreed to pursue a greater collaborative approach to forest management and explore alternative forest tenure models that will incorporate meaningful input into decision-making processes.

“AV Group’s leaders should be commended for their willingness to recognize my community’s constitutionally-protected Aboriginal rights and Treaty rights under the Peace and Friendship Treaties,” Chief Perley added.

AV Group NB will explore ways in which Wolastoqey participation in governance, application of Indigenous knowledge, protection of values and sustainability can be brought to bear on management decisions in a spirit of joint responsibility and mutual benefit.

“This is an important and vital step to the continued success and future growth of AV Group in New Brunswick. Our company’s stated purpose includes enriching lives by building dynamic and responsible businesses that inspire trust. We felt it was time to put those words into action”, stated Mike Legere, director of government relations for AV Group.

“By simply talking and listening, we discovered more common ground than we initially expected with our Wolastoqey partners. Now we find ourselves on an exciting and ground-breaking path to a more productive relationship,” added AV Group’s director of woodland operations, Conway Elkins.

One of the first deliverables from the MOU, which was put into effect Feb. 16, 2023, will be creating a mutual guiding principles document for developing a forest co-management model. The MOU also includes the transfer of a parcel of land that will be determined by feedback from the Wolastoqiyik.

The Wolastoqey Nation filed an Aboriginal title claim in 2021 which names some of New Brunswick’s forestry companies, including AV Group, and seeks the return of their land. This MOU is the first step toward what the Wolastoqey Chiefs hope will be a settlement of that claim against AV Group.

“This agreement should be seen by government, other forestry companies and New Brunswickers as a demonstration that by working in lock-step with Indigenous partners, we all can enjoy a sustainable relationship with the land we all now call home,” said Chief Allan Polchies Jr. of Sitansisk. “Today’s MOU is about beginning a relationship and discussing options for settlement. The Wolastoqey Chiefs would welcome such discussions with any of the Industrial defendants.”