Desjarlais awarded contract for development of long-range forestry plan

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Dwayne Desjarlais, of Native Resource Management Consultants has been awarded a contract to develop a proposal relating to forestry management on the eight Metis Settlements in Alberta.

The proposal Desjarlais is working on is aimed at attaining monies for a forest inventory. Once this inventory is in place, the settlements can begin work on a long-range forestry management plan. Thus the process will involve three steps: the first would be getting funding for the inventory, the second would be to put together the inventory, and the third (based on the inventory) would be to develop a long-term forestry management plan. Ultimately, of course, the settlements would manage their forestry resources.

In literature relating to the plan it states that "The Alberta Metis settlements are working toward becoming self-governing bodies, and in doing so,...are accepting certain responsibilities. In keeping with Metis' responsibility to land, Settlement Sooniyaw Corporation is examining the possibility of implementing...a Settlement Forestry Management Project." This would involve an "in-depth analysis of the state of forest resources on each settlement." And this is what Desjarlais ' task will involve - an "in-

depth proposal". The proposal is expected to be in place by Christmas of 1986.

As a process such as this involves a gargantuan task, the settlements are approaching it in a somewhat patient manner and looking at a 50-year time frame.

Described as a priority would be the education of settlements. Members would

be encouraged to continue their studies at technical schools or universities. "Special consideration would be given to qualified settlement members..." Locals will also be employed in other aspects of the compilation of inventory data.

In respect to the feasibility of the project, the Settlement Sooniyaw Corporation has a conservative approach and states that further research "must" be done.

In a telephone conversation, Desjarlais stated that he is "working closely with the settlements," and that the project was "initiated at the settlement level."

Desjarlais closed by pointing out that it is important that "the type of inventory is in accordance with their (the Metis settlers') planning philosophy:"