The Tla’amin Nation are getting back a significant piece of land that holds historical and contemporary significance to the Nation.
Domtar and the Nation have agreed for the Tla’amin people to reacquire a substantial portion of the land at the tiskwat paper mill site in Powell River.
Tla’amin Nation Chief John Hackett said negotiations got tough, but thanked Domtar for their commitment to staying the course.
“Reconnecting with this place, once the original commercial hub of our territory, a center of trade and prosperity for thousands of years, is deeply emotional.”
The agreement is a result of years of negotiations which featured the renaming of the land to tiskwat in 2021.
The reacquired lands mainly front the river and ocean and is among the least industrialized areas to be managed by the Nation for cultural and environmental values while developing industrialized lands to spur regional economic growth.
President of Pulp and Tissue with Domtar Richard Tremblay said they are proud of the agreement and remain committed to a reconciliation-centered approach.
“The path we have walked together shows that when you take the time to build trusted relationships and get things right, the extraordinary becomes possible.”
A portion of the land will remain with Domtar until sold to one or more third parties which will engage in industrial development to create economic benefits for the community.
