TLA'AMIN TERRITORY, BC and RICHMOND, BC — Domtar, a manufacturer of wood fiber-based pulp and paper products, and Tla'amin Nation, a self-governing modern treaty nation, have reached an agreement for the Nation to reacquire a substantial portion of the lands at the tiskwat paper mill site in Powell River, British Columbia. The two parties signed the agreement at a ceremony on Tla'amin Territory.

tiskwat was a large and important village site with historical and contemporary significance for the Tla'amin people.

The agreement is the result of years of work and commitment by both parties who overcame initial apprehensions to develop trust and work together in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation. That work began with the renaming of the mill site in 2021 to tiskwat and continued in a mutually respectful way to reach today's agreement.

"Our journey with the Tla'amin Nation is an important one in the history of our company," says Richard Tremblay, president of Pulp and Tissue, Domtar. "The path we have walked together shows that when you take the time to build trusted relationships and get things right, the extraordinary becomes possible. We are proud of this agreement as a tangible demonstration of our commitment to a reconciliation-centered approach to engaging with Indigenous communities."

The agreement honors both the historic significance and future potential of the lands. The reacquired lands primarily front the river and ocean and are among the least industrialized areas at tiskwat.  Tla'amin Nation will manage portions of the land for cultural and environmental values while developing the more industrialized lands to spur regional economic growth.

While a large portion of the former mill site will be acquired by the Tla'amin Nation, a segment of land will be sold by Domtar to one or more third parties that will engage in industrial redevelopment. This will ensure that these lands will also continue to create economic benefits for the broader community well into the future.