Youth from Grassy Narrows display the Mohawk Warrior flag, during yesterday’s protest at Kenora Forest Products. Protesters also stopped at the provincial building and Weyerhaeuser.

Hopes of a deal on wood rights in the Whiskey Jack may take a bit longer. Protesters from Grassy Narrows came to Kenora yesterday. They were led by Randy Fobister, who’s also a band councillor in the community.

Following stops at Weyerhaeuser, the provincial building on Robertson Road and Kenora Forest Products, Fobister stopped to offer an update on what he described as the grassroots perspective. The bottom line, he said, was that he didn’t think a deal on wood rights for the Whiskey Jack was on the horizon just yet.

“No, that’s not the case. That’s a very poor consultation, both from outside and within,” he said.

While there are talks ongoing with the community, Fobister said he would rather see alternatives to logging, such as eco-tourism.

Protesters file out of the MNRF building on Robertson Road Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry offered an update on their talks with Grassy Narrows, as well as other First Nations in the area.

“We are continuing to work with Grassy Narrows First Nation in discussions pertaining to the management of the Whiskey Jack Forest. Ontario supports greater involvement in Aboriginal peoples in the management our forests,” said Jolanta Kowalski, senior media relations officer with the ministry.

“MNRF (the ministry) and three First Nations – Grassy Narrows, Whitefish Bay and Wabauskang – are involved in preliminary discussions to better prepare these communities to move towards establishing a future Enhanced Sustainable Forest License for the Whiskey Jack Forest Crown Unit,” Kowalski continued, in a prepared statement.

“These preliminary discussions are progressing positively with forest industry and the First Nations. It is expected that additional First Nations with an interest in the area will join the discussions,” she noted.

In their comments, the protesters wanted to see an end to logging — not just in current plans — but in future plans for their traditional lands. At this point, Kowalski said the ministry has no plans for logging within the traditional lands in 2015-2016.

However, the statement goes onto say the forest represents opportunities for aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, and the province is working to include more aboriginal people in the management of forests.

Management from Kenora Forest Products reserved comment on the rally, as well as their plans for a restart, when asked Monday.

Protesters also visited the Weyerhaeuser mill on the Jones Road earlier in the afternoon. In a prepared statement, the company repeated their commitment to working with the First Nation and the province on a solution. Spokesman Wayne Roznowsky emphasized that the Whiskey Jack was an important source of wood for their operation in Kenora, but it was necessary to find a way to get uncontested access.

A demonstrator expresses their feelings on the issue, outside of the idled sawmill in Kenora.

For more information:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Response to rally
Grassy Narrows – Press Release
KenoraOnline – Training grants may help with restart
KenoraOnline – Weyerhaeuser spokesman addresses low dollar, wood rights

A rally at Kenora Forest Products Monday afternoon.