Kap LCC seeks advice from White River
White River reps attend Kapuskasing LCC Conference
by Karina Hunter
April 9th – 11th White River representatives, Economic Development Officer and LCC member James Bernardi and Town Councillor and business owner Roger Drolet attended, the Kapuskasing Local Citizens’ Committee Conference (LCC) in Kapuskasing which has as it’s theme ‘First Nations in Ontario’.
Bernardi and Drolet attended in part as Guest Speakers, and spoke to a group of approximately 75 attendees regarding the new company, White River Forest Products, having purchased the former Domtar saw mill and the plans associated with this $90 million dollar project which include; firing up the sawmill again, expanding the existing co-generation plant for heat and power, adding wood pellet technology and development of value-added forestry products. They explained that the ownership is a unique partnership between the Township of White River Economic Development Department, the nearby Pic Mobert First Nation, and private investors.
Bernardi and Drolet also presented information regarding the nature of the partnership between the Township and the First Nation communities, challenges they anticipate in the future and the revelance of this to the Sustainable Forest License (SFL). The pair’s presentation had been touted as a “must for LCC, EDC and municipal representatives.”
Saturday’s presentations included a presentation by Jennifer Simard,Executive Director, Mushkegwuk Environmental Research Centre and Moose Cree First Nation Member about First Nation Land Stewardship as well as a walk through of First Nations of the James Bay Cree titled “Come and walk a mile in First Nation moccasins” by Melissa Vernier, History Professor, Université de Hearst, who wrote a Masters Degree thesis on James Bay Cree History.
Upon his return Bernardi explained what a worthwhile workshop the Kapuskasing LCC Conference had been “Jennifer Simmard’s presentation was very insightful, having established the Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre (MERC), the first hand experience she shared regarding First Nation Land Stewardship was very informative” said Bernardi adding that he had found the First Nation perspective that Vernier shared in her historical presentation of the James Bay Cree to be very insightful.
The Kapuskasing Local Citizens’ Committee is composed of members from different organisations as well as ordinary citizens having “Their forest at heart”; its mandate is “To assist in the planning and management of the Gordon Cosens Forest”. Conferences such as this are held in an effort to to offer educational sessions on all aspects of the forest whether environmental, social or economic.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the committee, should contact LCC Chair, Mr. Bruce Newton at 705-335-0736.
Links in this document provided courtesy of www.OntarioNewsNorth.com.
