Domtar and the Tla’amin Nation have signed a historic agreement that will allow the reacquisition of a substantial part of the land where the former Tiskwat paper mill operated, in Powell River, British Columbia. The signing ceremony took place on Friday, March 14, in Tla’amin Territory, consolidating years of collaboration between the parties.
Tiskwat is a site of great historical and cultural importance to the Tla’amin Nation, having been an ancient village and essential trading center for the community for thousands of years. The agreement reflects a joint effort of learning and understanding between the company and the Indian Nation, which began in 2021 with the renaming of the Powell River Paper Mill to the Tiskwat Paper Mill. The collaboration was strengthened after the closure of the unit’s operations, resulting in this negotiation.
According to Domtar, the initiative demonstrates its commitment to values-based engagement with Indigenous Peoples. “The tiskwat land agreement is the result of a shared journey of learning and understanding between Domtar and the Nation,” said Lana Wilhelm, the company’s Director of Indigenous Relations. “We are grateful to the Tla’amin Nation representatives for their patience in walking with us on a path of collaboration to ensure a promising future for these lands.”
John Hackett, Hegus (Chief) of the Tla’amin Nation, highlighted the relevance of the reacquisition for the community. “We want to thank our ancestors who never gave up on tiskwat. We also recognize Domtar’s commitment to staying the course with us when negotiations got tough. Reconnecting with this place – once the original commercial hub of our territory, a center of trade and prosperity for thousands of years – is deeply emotional. We look forward to once again exercising our responsibilities to these lands.”
In addition to the part of the territory that will be reacquired by the Tla’amin Nation, another portion will be negotiated by Domtar with third parties for an industrial redevelopment project. The aim is to ensure that the region continues to generate economic benefits for the Powell River community in the future.
For Domtar, the agreement reinforces its commitment to reconciliation with indigenous communities. “Our company’s owner, Jackson Wijaya, challenged us to forge a new path and create a lasting legacy for the Tla’amin rights-holders, Domtar and the community of Powell River,” said Wilhelm. “The Tla’amin Nation land reacquisition agreement shows how we put our words into action and walk the talk on reconciliation.”
