The Wolastoqey have a proven Aboriginal domestic timber harvesting right as a result of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R v Sappier; R v Gray. The Crown also has a legal duty to consult and accommodate the Wolastoqey about forestry decisions that have a potential to affect Wolastoqey Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

The Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick provides technical advice to the Wolastoqey Communities regarding potential impacts to Wolastoqey domestic timber harvesting rights and other Aboriginal and Treaty Rights from forestry decisions and activities. The Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick is currently supporting the Wolastoqey Communities in discussions with the Government of New Brunswick about how provincial forestry management and rules interfere with Wolastoqey Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, how Wolastoqey domestic timber harvesting rights can be implemented, how the Government of New Brunswick can consult and accommodate on forestry, and how concerns with commercial harvesting can be addressed.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Paul, Interim Executive Director

Kelsey Weirdsma, Consultation Manager

Shyla O’Donnell, Forestry Consultant 


GNB’s 2022 Forest Strategy

The Province of New Brunswick wants to talk to Wolastoqey members about the Province’s 2022 Forest Strategy. You can download the letter and documents that the Chiefs, Resource Development Consultation Coordinators (RDCCs) and Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick (WNNB) staff received about the forest strategy.

You will also find the letter from the Chiefs to the Province that responds to the Province’s proposed Forest Strategy. The Chiefs, RDCCs and WNNB staff/consultants are in the process of preparing another more detailed letter to send to the Province of New Brunswick with concerns about the forestry strategy and its potential impacts to Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and title. If you have concerns about the forest strategy that you would like to discuss, please contact your community RDCC ASAP.