Sawmill to create employment

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Treaty and Metis residents here have opened a sawmill operation in an effort to create employment in the logging industry.

Janvier Chief Walter Javier says it's the first time the Metis and Treaty community have combined resources on any project. "We've had a lot of problems in the past (getting along) . . . but, now we're meeting regularly and things are working."

President of Metis Local 214, Henry Herman, in Janvier proudly adds, "It's a major step for people here to work together like this."

Work is expected to start on the permanent sawmill in April. Until then, loggers will be gathering timber for a portable mill, which will be placed at a permanent location on the reserve in spring after the ground thaws.

The sawmill is a solid economic investment, says Janvier, noting the mill will create 15 full-time jobs for residents of the community. Syncrude and the Fort McMurray band are committed to buying at least a half million board feet each from the mill this year alone, he notes.

Syncrude is helping the mill "get off the ground" with a $10,000 grant and a loan worth $10,000. Syncrude human relations advisor Jim Carbery explained the loan will be paid back in trade for timber from the mill. Syncrude has also made a three year agreement with Janvier to buy up to one million board feet annually from the sawmill.

Janvier added they expect to supply building material to the twenty gas and oil companies operating in the area.

The sawmill is also being funded by $7,000 raised by the community and the site for the mill is being cleared free of charge by a Lac La Biche based construction company called Lasso Contracting.

According to Marvin MacDonald of the Athabasca Native Development Cooperation (ANDC), which represents communities in the Athabasca Delta area in negotiations with gas and oil companies, the Janvier sawmill is a good indication that the natural resources industry wants to work with northern communities toward economic recovery in the province.

MacDonald says the future of the sawmill largely lies in the hands of gas and oil companies in the area. He is optimistic and predicts a positive outcome for all parties involved.