First Nation and steelworkers' union ink deal to access timber, create jobs on Vancouver Island

A new agreementbetweentheHuu-ay-ahtFirst Nation and the union representing forest industry workers on Vancouver Island means the two will lobby the B.C. government togetherforaccess to uncut wood in the Alberni Valley area and the economic benefits that come with it.

The nation and United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 have signed a memorandum of understandingfocused ongetting the provinceto give Tree Farm Licence 44(TFL 44) undercut access to theHuu-ay-ahtand createjobsthrough early retirement and training initiatives.

Undercut is the term used for timber that a tree farm licence owner could have harvested within a five-yearterm but was left in the woods. If it is still on the stump at the end of term, the province can give it away to another company ornation, or turn it into community forest.

The Huu-ay-ahtNation has an ownership stake in the land purchased fromWestern Forest Products andthe new agreement is, according to the nation's chief, "a big step" toward reconciliation and economic benefits for both nation and union members.

• Clickhere for detailed maps and contract information concerning TFL 44.

Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis, Sr. said employment and training opportunities arehis primary objective.

He toldCBCAll Points West guest hostRohit Josephthat prior to the deal, there was only one nation member in the local union.

Local 1-1937 presidentBrian Butlersaid the union is looking at its collective agreement"to make changes that allow openings."

He said that can be likely done by retiring union workers early, saying the workforce is aging and there would probably be some volunteers for early retirement.

"Having a secure tenure holder who has interest in the region... it's important to us." said Butler."It really is a win-win scenario to have more First Nationmembers join our union and work on the TFL."

And there is interest among theHuu-ay-ahtmembership in working on the TFL, according to Dennis, who said the nation recentlyheld an introduction to forestry training course that nine people enrolled in. Most of those peopleare now working in the industry.

In pursuing the goals of the agreement, the parties will be guided by Huu-ay-aht's three sacred principles: hishuk ma tsawak ("everything is one"); uuathluk ("taking care of"); and Iisaak ("utmost respect") and a strong commitment to reconciliation and meeting the principles and standards of the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"[It] honours our sacred principals of hereditary chiefs and recognizes our treaty rights," said Dennis. "Those are important reconciliation issues."

TheHuu-ay-aht Nationis based inPachena Bay near Port Alberni, B.C. and isa member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. It is a signatory to theMaa-nulth Final Agreement, which came into effect in 2011. The treaty recognizes the nation'sfull ownership and jurisdiction over more than 8,200 hectares of land within itsterritories.

As of 2018, there were 730 registered members of the nation.

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