Protesters want logging control

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A blockade in northern Saskatchewan to protest clear-cut logging could make new inroads into community control of forest management.

But there are hurdles to clear before protesters from the Canoe Lake band will steop their action against Mistik Management, a branch of NorSask Forestry Products.

"This is the future of our children," said 80-year-old Celia Iron, one of approximately 30 people at the blockade of Highway 903, some 65 kilometres north of Meadow Lake.

"I'm staying her until an agreement is signed. The RCMP will have to pick me up and take me out of here."

Members of three Cree bands erected the blockade, which prevents access to logging areas, more than two weeks ago to protest mechanical clear-cutting in the region.

The protesters - from Canoe Lake, Jans Bay and Cole Bay - are calling for more community input on Nor-Sask's logging practices.

Negotiations with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, a part-owner of NorSask,

at one point led to a tentative agreement between the protesters and the company. But

the deal, which would have created a board for direct community involvement, did not stand up in final negotiations.

The two main issues at the blockade are Mistik's use of mechanical harvesters in logging and community control over the size and rate of the cuts.

The protesters are demanding that the company revert to manual harvests, which they say would create more jobs at the community level and cause less damage to wildlife habitats.

Protesters are also asking for Native regulation and monitoring of long-term sustainable forestry activities and compensation for damage already done.

Although the dispute has led to court injunctions preventing the protesters from interfering with timber harvest, both sides have taken a conciliatory stance.

"We're trying to fight," said Joe Derocher, a Canoe Lake Cree. "We are trying

to come to an agreement so that everyone in the future can enjoy the wilderness. We want our resources to last."

Tribal council vice-chief Oneill Gladue blamed the dispute on a lack of communication. He said many of the concerns will be resolved once the communities

get more information about Mistik's activities.

"A lot of the reason behind this blockade was the elders weren't aware of things."