Joint venture seen as success in the making

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The list of dignitaries who made a point of attending the official opening of Wapawekka Lumber, Ltd. on June 24 at a site adjacent to the Weyerhaeuser Canada plant outside Prince Albert, was long and impressive.

Several chiefs, including the Grand Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Perry Bellgarde, a provincial cabinet minister, representatives of several federal departments, local municipal and regional leaders and senior company officials - including George Weyerhaeuser, Jr. - joined the employees and their families in a two-hour celebration of the newly-opened sawmill that is owned jointly by Weyerhaeuser and three First Nations.

In a tent set up outside the newly-constructed $22.5 million sawmill, more than 100 people marked the occasion.

Eldon Lautermilch, minister of Energy and Mines, spoke on behalf of the provincial government. He was enthusiastic about the partnership that created Wapawekka.

"I think it signals the kind of arrangements and the kind of partnerships that will create a Saskatchewan that will look much different in the 21st Century," he said. "When I look at the employee component - about 50 per cent of the employees of this corporation are of Aboriginal background. That's what our province needs to look like in the 21st Century."

Lautermilch said casino profits helped the First Nations invest in the project and he added that the province's gaming policy was designed to create such opportunities.

The First Nations partner are excited by the opportunity to get into business with the help of an industry leader.

"The technology in use here today is the most modern there is in use in any sawmill," Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Ron Michel.

"The employees have been trained as well as any employees in a forestry workshop can be and that makes us very proud."

Michel said the three First Nations each own 16.3 per cent of the sawmill which means Weyerhaeuser has kept a 51 per cent controlling interest. He also said that 18 of the 41 jobs were held by First Nations people.

Lac La Ronge Chief Harry Cook thinks Wapawekka is an idea whose time was ripe a long time ago, but he's thankful the opportunity has finally arrived for his people.

"We occupy a very rich environment within our traditional areas and I think it's only fitting that we be given the opportunity to harvest some of the resources that are there in partnership with big industry. I think that's the key," said Cook.

The funeral of a respected Elder prevented representatives of the third First Nation partner, the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, from attending.

Everyone who attended the ceremony seemed enthusiastic and genuinely excited to be involved. That included Weyerhaeuser's top executive in Canada.

"Fifteen months ago, I stood here at a press conference announcing this project," said Bill Gaynor, president and CEO of Weyerhaeuser Canada. " At that time, I talked about how much Weyerhaeuser had learned from working with our partners to create Wapawekka and I spoke of the excitement all of us felt because of the opportunities that all of that created. Today, I think we're even more excited and certainly the Weyerhaeuser people that have been involved in the building, the staffing, the training of Wapawekka Lumber have gained just excellent, valuable knowledge and experience and understanding in how to work together with our partners towards a common goal."

Chief Bellegarde was equally excited by the partnership.

"Today is a very, very historic day and a great day because to me on behalf of the FSIN, this is an example of how to do it. An example of how to create and bring together the private sector, the public sector and First Nations people and leadership," said Bellegarde. "We know the unemployment rate for our people is high, and the welfare. We don't need better welfare. We need better partnerships and opportunities. This is a prime example."