Fredericton –
Six Wollastokee communities in New Brunswick have signed a memorandum of understanding with one of the companies named in a large indigenous lawsuit.
The six countries said today that an agreement in principle with forestry company AV Group NB points the way to forest co-management models and other economic development opportunities.
In November 2021, First Nations will be renewed in a New Brunswick court against companies operating on approximately 20% of the state’s 50,000 square kilometers or more of land claimed by Wollastkey as traditional land. filed a land claim.
In the original claim filed in 2020, the community sought title to the land, but their new claim also seeks compensation from the king for allowing commercial activity on their traditional territory. increase.
Defendants other than AV Group NB include JD Irving Ltd. and its 18 subsidiaries or affiliates, NB Power, Acadian Timber, and the Governments of New Brunswick and Canada.
Patricia Bernard, head of Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, said the memorandum of understanding does not mean that the title claim will be amended to remove AV Group NB.
This report by the Canadian Press was first published on February 28, 2023.
