Opaskwayak Signs Forestry Revenue Sharing Agreement with Manitoba Government

The Manitoba government is finalizing an MOU with Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) this week to work toward the development of revenue sharing that will see up to 45 per cent of revenues collected from timber dues returned to rights holders, Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt and Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Chief Sidney Ballantyne announced today.

“For too long, Indigenous communities have not benefited from forestry operations on their traditional territories, and our government understands we must take concrete steps to correct past wrongs and advance reconciliation,” Nesbitt said. “Our government is proud to sign these historic memorandums of understanding with Mosakahiken Cree Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation, which are the first of their kind for Manitoba. We look forward to engaging with other Indigenous leadership and nations, as Indigenous participation in the forestry sector is essential to ensure everyone benefits from Manitoba’s resources.”

Today, the minister and provincial government representatives are in the Opaskwayak Cree Nation to sign a two-year pilot agreement that will allow both Cree nations, as well as the province, to test and assess the approach in preparation for a longer-term agreement, the minister noted.

“In the spirit of reconciliation, this is a great first step that allows us to assert our sovereign rights as the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. This revenue sharing concept has been talked about for years with our community and to see this finally come to action gives me hope as a leader,” said Chief Sidney Ballantyne. “Not only will the added revenue help with improving our services for our people, it will benefit both our community and our neighbours in Mosakahiken with added employment opportunities. This is a momentous occasion that shows the province intends to do things in a good way with First Nations people moving forward. This move also shows the willingness of Opaskwayak to work on other major agreements not just with the province but with any other governments and business sectors across the country and the rest of the world.”

In early 2019, Opaskwayak Natural Resources started engaging with Nisokapawino Management Corporation regarding its 20 year Forest Management plan for 2025. “While those discussions were going on, the former Opaskwayak Chief at the request of leadership and its administration, began talks with Canadian Kraft Paper directly, since they were harvesting wood in our traditional territories,” added Chief Ballantyne. “Opaskwayak negotiated to have our own band member do the contract, now known as the Bignell Project. Through that project, and as the Chief now, I was able to start talks with the province for stumpage fees.”

The province has been working with both Mosakahiken Cree Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation on the agreements since early 2022. Under these agreements, Manitoba will share up to 45 per cent of the dues collected for timber harvested in proximity to Mosakahiken Cree Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), respectively. Timber dues revenue collected since Jan. 1, 2022, and up to June 30, 2024, will be within scope of the pilot agreement.