FREDERICTON –
Six Wolastoqey communities in New Brunswick have signed a memorandum of understanding with one of many corporations named in a serious lawsuit filed by the First Nations, who’re looking for to reclaim title over massive swaths of the province.
The six nations mentioned in the present day the settlement in precept with forestry firm AV Group NB outlines a path for a forest co-management mannequin and for different financial growth alternatives.
In November 2021, the First Nations filed an up to date land declare in New Brunswick courtroom focusing on firms that function on about 20 per cent of the greater than 50,000 sq. kilometres within the province the Wolastoqey declare as their conventional lands.
Of their unique declare filed in 2020, the communities sought title to the land, however their new declare additionally seeks compensation from the Crown for permitting industrial operations on their conventional territory.
Aside from AV Group NB, the defendants embrace J.D. Irving Ltd. and 18 of its subsidiaries or associated entities, NB Energy, Acadian Timber, in addition to the governments of New Brunswick and Canada.
Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Chief Patricia Bernard says the memorandum of understanding doesn’t imply the title declare can be amended to take away AV Group NB.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 28, 2023.
