Ontario to enter into forestry discussions with Grassy Narrows First Nation

Sun Sep 9, 2007
Canadain Press

TORONTO (CP) - The Ontario government has appointed former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci to lead discussions on forestry-related issues with a First Nation near Kenora.

It's in response to the band's complaint that forestry operations are destroying the Grassy Narrows First Nations' traditional territory.

Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister has complained that because of logging, all the trees and animals are gone, and there has been no compensation for aboriginal people.

Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay says Iacobucci will lead a team in discussions focusing on sustainable forest management, including tree-cutting methods and interim protection for Grassy Narrows.

Ramsay says the former justice is respected by all parties.

In 2005, Iacobucci was appointed by the federal government to negotiate a settlement for former residents of aboriginal residential schools.

The Grassy Narrows First Nation is located 80 kilometres north of Kenora and has a population of about 800 people.