Forest tenure agreement signed

Aroland, Eabametoong and Marten Falls First Nations have signed a forest tenure agreement on the Ogoki Forest in northwestern Ontario. The communities want to take control of forest management planning, harvesting, road construction, silviculture, environmental monitoring, reporting and also establish forest-based First Nations business ventures. Matawa Economic Development and Four Rivers Environmental Services are providing technical support, coordination and facilitation to assist the communities in the negotiations with the province. “One of our hopes in forest tenure is minimizing the rate of unemployment and poverty and the significant lack of opportunities within our First Nations,” said Marten Falls First Nation Interim Chief Bruce Achneepineskum in a news release.