Spirit of co-operation strong around Hinton

Page 2

An agreement has been formalized between the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada (AWN)and Weldwood of Canada Limited's Hinton Forest Resources division, with Chevron Resources Canada and with Burlington Resources Canada Energy Ltd. that cements a longstanding association and pledges them to continue working co-operatively on a wide array of joint initiatives.

The signing took place May 9 at the Inn on 7th in Edmonton. It was standing room only in the small room that had seating for about 40.

Dignitaries taking part in the ceremony included David MacPhee, president of AWN; Dennis Hawksworth, vice president of Weldwood's Hinton Forest and Wood Products division; Scott Colebrook, vice president-surface land for Burlington Resources; Jim MacLean, land manager for Chevron; Pearl Calahasen, provincial minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AAND); and the master of ceremonies was Cliff Supernault, who works in resource development at Alberta Energy. As special advisor on Aboriginal issues, Supernault acts as liaison between the AAND, the energy industry and Aboriginal people who are working towards economic self-reliance.

There were at least 20 additional members of the 350-member Native community present, and about the same from the participating companies. Several staffers from Aboriginal Affairs attended, as well as AAND Assistant Deputy Minister Ken Boutillier and Howard Grey, executive director of Forest Industry Development. Gifts were exchanged and tobacco given to the Elders by the corporate executives.

MacPhee recalled he first talked with Supernault about the aims of AWN 15 or more years ago. The push by AWN towards relationship building "with some of the industry partners that are here today," started at least three years ago, he said.

Later he congratulated numerous corporate leaders at the table and in the audience for helping bridge the "lack of consultation or perceived lack of consultation" between themselves and Aboriginal people. Several responded sincerely that they recognized an Aboriginal right to consultation and development opportunities.

"I think this is the type of event that we have always envisioned, but to try to get that message across to government, to industry . . . a lot of times was hard for it to actually be heard," McPhee said.

He also credited Calahasen's release of the Aboriginal Framework Policy Agreement as a sign that government finally recognized "it's right for industry to consult with Aboriginal communities," to bring a share of economic benefit back to the communities that were contributing resources, and to protect "sensitive areas."

All parties expect to develop and prosper while working to maintain a harmonious and respectful relationship with each other as a result of the signing. The Guiding Principles Agreement "reflects the relationship and bond" established over time between AWN and the companies, their joint press release states. It covers land stewardship, project consultation, education and training, employment and business opportunities, community involvement, and it is meant to show their commitment to the goals and principles of Alberta's Aboriginal Framework Policy.

"One thing that I really want to recognize is our Elders . . . and some of our community members," said MacPhee.

He said "a lot of prayers are said," within and outside the community when he goes to meetings about community development initiatives, and "it is something that I rely upon a lot." He said that the Elders get to "see the fulfillment of something they've prayed for for quite a long time I think is quite significant."

The Native people who comprise AWN live in six locations along Highway 40, north and south of Grande Cache, and are descended from Cree, Beaver, Stoney and Iroquois Indians and fur trappers and traders who lived in the area. They hold fee simple title and pay taxes to the province to hold their land, according to AWN Resource Oficer Penny Cannon.

Aeniwuche Winewak is Cree for Rocky Mountain people. The community is governed by a board elected from each of its six "co-operatives or enterprises," as they describe their parcels of land, and by a president. Those names, meaning roughly the same as "settlements," stuck years ago when AWN was looking for a way to identify the groups as one community, said Cannon. They applied for band status last year.

Burlington Resources is the largest independent oil and gas exploration company in the world, according to AWN. Chevron is involved in all facets of the oil and natural gas business and has a major interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands project. Weldwood's Hinton operation includes a sawmill and bleached kraft pulp mill. The company recently got its sixth consecutive forest management plan approved for the area it manages.