Friends of the Lubicon
485 Ridelle Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 1K6
e-mail: fol@tao.ca
Below is a transcript of a news report regarding Daishowa's involvement in the pending sale of timber rights in Lubicon Traditional Territory.
CBC Radio News, Edmonton
April 7, 1999
Announcer: The Lubicon Cree in Northern Alberta are worried Daishowa-Marubeni might go back on its promise. Last year, the pulp giant agreed not to log in Lubicon traditional territory until the band settles its land claim. Now, the provincial government has put that land up for grabs to other forestry companies interested in logging the area. And as Teresa Drew reports, Daishowa is eyeing the region again.
Teresa Drew: It took seven years of protests, and over 20 million dollars in lost revenues for Daishowa to finally agree to stay out of the disputed territory. Now the government is asking for proposals from other companies or groups interested in accessing that timber, in a large area surrounding Red Earth Creek. And Lubicon advisor Fred Lennarson says Daishowa is one of the parties that has responded.
Fred Lennarson: It appears Daishowa agrees to stay out - and says that they won't purchase timber from the area, and then they become involved with a proposal to cut down the timber, have others cut down the timber and provide it to them…
Drew: The Woodlands Manager for Daishowa admits the company put in a joint proposal with several of the aboriginal bands in the area. But Wayne Thorpe says Daishowa won't go ahead with any project unless it has approval from the Lubicon.
Wayne Thorpe: And that's why we expressed our support, with that prerequisite. Our commitment was to stay out. We would not purchase, or do any harvesting on our own, in the area of concern, until there was a resolution with the Lubicon. And our commitment stands.
Drew: There has been some progress in the Lubicon's negotiations with the federal government. The provincial government is expected to join the talks by summer. But the First Nation is at least a year away from a final settlement, if all goes well. Teresa Drew, CBC News, Edmonton.