Grassy Narrows launches fresh boycott of Weyerhaeuser products

Grassy Narrows renewed its boycott of Weyerhaeuser Corporation products Oct. 6.
This comes less than five months after some logging companies and large environmental groups declared a truce to the “war in the woods” between the First Nation and Weyerhaeuser.
“We continue to call for the boycott and divestment of Weyerhaeuser Corporation due to their violation of our human rights as Indigenous people,” said Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister. “We will work with our supporters to promote, monitor and enforce this position.”
The community is upset that after eight years of protests – the longest running logging blockade in Canada – logging continues on its lands and licenses continue to be granted by the province.
“We have never given our consent to any logging on our territory and we have repeatedly said ‘no,’” Fobister said. “Unwanted logging has a severe impact on our community’s ability to sustain our health, culture and livelihood.”
Fobister said logging had been suspended on Grassy Narrows territory as of July 2008, but under pressure from Weyerhaeuser, the province has produced a three-year contingency logging plan for the Whiskey Jack Forest allowing more than 27 clearcuts, including 17 that will be more than 260 hectares in size (500 football fields).
Michelle Nowak, regional communication and marketing specialist with the Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed licences have been granted for the Whiskey Jack Forest.
“Licenses have been issued on an ongoing basis since the approval of the 2009-2012 contingency plan for the Whiskey Jack Forest but efforts have been made to avoid the areas that are most contentious with Grassy Narrows First Nation,” Nowak said.
Weyerhaeuser manager of public affairs Wayne Roznowsky said the company believes Ontario should continue to engage Aboriginal communities including Grassy Narrows in making choices about the importance of economic, cultural and environmental values of forests.
“Canada’s forests can be landscapes of reconciliation,” Anne Giardini, president of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, said in a message made available through Roznowsky. “Reconciliation requires that we balance the values of the forests to Aboriginal people and their importance for maintaining cultural identity, with empathy for the many forest-dependent communities in Canada who rely on a vibrant and sustainable forest industry.”
Roznowsky said Weyerhaeuser has successfully worked with other First Nations in this region to establish a co-operative forest licence on the Kenora Forest, including First Nations as shareholders.
“Grassy Narrows First Nation is among hundreds of Aboriginal communities across Canada that stand to benefit from programs for employment and business development linked to broader social goals of health, education, empowerment and self-determination,” Giardini said.
“Weyerhaeuser supports enhancing the environmental and community benefits associated with active sustainable forest management. This is best achieved by open and transparent dialogue.”
Fobister said Weyerhaeuser is the only major logging company still working in Grassy Narrows’ land.
Three major firms have stopped logging the area since 2006 when Grassy Narrows members and supporters blocked the highway near Kenora and the Ontario government entered into negotiations with the community.