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Tolko and Whitefish Lake First Nations sign innovative agreement

High Prairie, AB - Whitefish Lake First Nations and Tolko Industries Ltd., High Prairie OSB Division signed Alberta's first Joint Deciduous Timber Allocation (DTA) at a small ceremony in High Prairie on December 16. This also marks the province's first joint forest tenure between industry and a First Nations group.

The DTA authorizes joint management in the 12 townships (1119 km2) immediately north of the Whitefish Reserve in the S19 forest management unit. This DTA has an annual allowable cut (AAC) of 50,000 m3.

Chief Clifford Laboucan commented that this is a continuation of the positive relationship between Tolko and Whitefish Lake First Nations that started ten years ago when Tolko constructed the oriented strand board (OSB) mill in High Prairie.

Rick Huff, Vice-President & General Manager, OSB & Kraft Papers, agreed. “This agreement strengthens the relationship between Tolko and Whitefish,” Rick said. “It provides both parties opportunities that could not have been achieved without the partnership.”

Rick Alguire, Fibre Procurement Manager for Tolko indicated that this is a positive step in securing fibre for Tolko's initiatives in Northern Alberta and paves the way for future partnerships of this kind between Tolko and Aboriginal groups.

Whitefish Lake First Nation is located 110 kilometres north of the Town of High Prairie and 430 kilometres north of Edmonton. The First Nation inhabits three Utikoomak Lake reserves, which cover 11,974 acres and are accessible by road and water. The population is approximately 1852 members.

In Alberta, Tolko operates three forest product manufacturing facilities and woodlands. The Company provides direct employment for over 630 people in the province, with this number increasing to over 1800 during peak harvesting season. High Prairie OSB plant, which Tolko built in 1994, recently celebrated the production of its one millionth press load.

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