The Lake Babine Nation and West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. have formalized a groundbreaking partnership in British Columbia’s forest sector with the announcement of a new First Nations Woodland Licence approved by the provincial government.
The new tenure, based in the Smithers area, is held by Lake Babine Nation Forestry, the Nation’s own forestry company, and was created from timber volumes contributed by both West Fraser and LBN Forestry. It marks a significant step toward Indigenous leadership in forest management and reflects a growing collaborative model in B.C.
“For Lake Babine Nation, forestry is not just an industry—it is woven into our identity and vision for the future,” said Chief Wilf Adam. “This partnership will bring economic opportunities to our people while ensuring our forests are managed sustainably.”
The licence is the result of years of collaboration and builds on two earlier agreements: a Joint Development Agreement signed in April 2024 and a Log Supply and Forest Management Agreement from January 2025.
To support the tenure’s creation, West Fraser reallocated portions of its licence volume in the Bulkley and Morice Timber Supply Areas. The B.C. government also contributed additional volume through BC Timber Sales.
“This milestone recognizes Lake Babine Nation’s role as stewards of their territory and reflects our shared commitment to sustainable forestry,” said Sean McLaren, President and CEO of West Fraser. “It also brings greater stability to the regional forest sector.”
West Fraser will continue to support LBN Forestry with forest stewardship services, ensuring the new licence is managed in line with Lake Babine’s values and sustainability goals.
The announcement was welcomed by B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar, who praised the collaboration as a model for creating jobs and building a more resilient forest economy.
Lake Babine Nation, one of the largest Indigenous nations in B.C., has made forestry a priority under its Foundation Agreement with the province. Its forestry company, founded in 2016, now employs nearly 30 people and plays a growing role in regional forest management.
This new licence strengthens both economic and environmental outcomes, demonstrating how Indigenous leadership and industry partnerships can shape the future of forestry in British Columbia.
