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CHILLIWACK AREA FIRST NATIONS SIGN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR AGREEMENT WITH PROBYN LOG IN NEW FORESTRY PARTNERSHIP

Chilliwack, BC (May 30, 2005) - The Chiefs of the eight First Nations who make up the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forestry Limited Partnership (CFLP) are hosting a traditional signing ceremony in Chilliwack today to announce their $12-million joint venture partnership with Probyn Log Ltd. The partnership will see Ch-ihl-kway-uhk community members working with Probyn to manage and operate the First Nations’ forestry operations.

Under the new Forestry Management and Log Marketing Agreement, the two companies will work together to harvest up to 227,000 cubic metres of Annual Allowable Cut forest land and 585 hectares of woodlot area designated under the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk’s Forest and Range Agreement with the provincial government.

The partnership was jumpstarted by a contribution from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s Resource Partnerships Program, which enabled Ch-ihl-kway-uhk to develop their forestry company, conduct a feasibility assessment and secure Probyn as their joint venture partner.

“We are optimistic that this partnership will be a catalyst for long-term economic growth and opportunity for our communities,” said Chief Roy Mussell, Chief of the Skwah First Nation and Chair of Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forestry Limited Partnership. “Forestry has been an integral part of our community for centuries, and now, through this partnership, our people will gain the necessary management and operations skills required to run a successful forestry company.”

“I am pleased to celebrate this important joint venture today, as it is an excellent example of what hard work and determination can achieve," said the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "Assisting First Nations with the development of partnerships that lead to economic growth is part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to invest in economic initiatives that improve the lives of Aboriginal people.”

Throughout the partnership, Probyn Log will oversee all aspects of the forestry operations including planning, engineering, harvesting, sorting and log marketing. CFLP will provide input into forest planning, engineering and silviculture services. Managing Ch-ihl-kway-uhk’s forestry operations will be registered professional forester, Matt Willick, a Tzeachten member who recently returned to Chilliwack. The management committee will include representatives from CFLP and Probyn Log.

“At Probyn, the strength of our company is through the partnerships we have created with others in the forest industry. We believe this partnership with the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk people is a win-win situation for all partners, but more importantly this is a great way for the forest industry and BC’s First Nations to successfully work together,” said Bill Markvoort, Manager; Forestry & Timberlands for Probyn Log Ltd.

”We selected Probyn Log as our partner largely in part to their long history in the BC forest industry, their strong relationships with their other forestry partners, as well as their understanding of the sensitivity to protecting forest areas considered sacred by the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk people,” added Chief Joe Hall, Chief of the Tzeachten First Nation and Vice Chair of Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forestry Limited Partnership.

In addition to working with Ch-ihk-kway-uhk to manage the operations, Probyn Log will also proactively seek opportunities to provide employment and training for Ch-ihl-kway-uhk members in Ch-ihl-kway-uhk’s forestry operations, in addition to providing employment opportunities at Probyn’s other operations in the Chilliwack area.

For further information, contact:

Contact person: Ch-ihk-kway-uhk Forestry Limited Partnership
NATIONAL Public Relations Probyn Log Ltd.
phone: 604-684-6655
email:nlambrechts@national.ca

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