Forestry

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.

As with other decisions, the Crown has a legal duty to consult and accommodate the Wolastoqey about forestry decisions that could potentially infringe upon Wolastoqey Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

What do we do?

The WNNB provides technical advice to Wolastoqey communities on the potential impacts that Crown forestry decisions may have on community domestic timber harvesting rights, and other Aboriginal and Treaty rights. The Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick provides additional support to Wolastoqey communities on this matter by engaging in discussions with the Government of New Brunswick about how provincial forestry management and rules interfere with Wolastoqey Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Other discussions involve 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, Legal and Governance Advisor, at gillian.paul@wolastoqey.ca; Kelsey Wierdsma, Consultation Manager, at kelsey.wierdsma@wolastoqey.ca; or, Shyla O’Donnell, Forestry Consultant, at shyla.donnell@wolastoqey.ca.