Meetings with Slocan/LP to state our intentions to manage the log yard at the Fort St. John proposed OSB plant.
There was reference in the different MOA's to the six Treaty Eight First Nations communities
Section (d) "create economic opportunities for the First Nation and its members, including training, employment contracting and other economic opportunities, as set out herein.
Also under 8.4 page 13 Contract Awards of the same MOA it states in part "shall use reasonable commercial efforts to award such contracts to one or more First Nation Entities" Under 8.5 Competitive Basis it states in part " due consideration to all relevant criteria including without limitation, price, quality, safety, sensitivity to environment, timing and other terms of delivery and past performance.
These clauses did not guarantee any contract but gave basis for the pursuing thereof.
Committee was established at the Treaty Eight Tribal Council office
The committee was composed of Kieran Broderick, Debra Smithson, Darrell Ketter and Lyle Mortenson.
Lyle Mortenson was assigned to put together a proposal and a company for a long term log yard contract at the mill site. Worked in setting up Three Nations Ventures
Two trips were completed by Six Nations Ventures (SNV) to mills that used portal cranes in their log yard operations. Proved invaluable to SNV
A proposal with covering letter was submitted to Mr. Derek Stewart, Project Manager dated May 11th, 2004 (plan attached to letter titled Proposal for Managing the Slocan/LP OSB Log Yard in Fort St. John, B.C.)
Six First Nations Bands submitted letters requesting to be equal partners in Six Nations Ventures. They are Prophet River, Blueberry River, Halfway River, Doig River, West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations.
Soft offer letter was received from Jeff Beale of the Slocan-LP OSB Corp.
Canfor had bought out Slocan and thus the new legal name for the OSB plant is Canfor-LP OSB (G.P.) Corp. The common name used is Peace Valley OSB.
A loan of $5,000 was requested from each First Nations community wanting to partner in SNV. This was received to a total of $30,000
Six Nations Ventures was incorporated.
A short term contract was signed to cover spring months.
The first load of logs arrived and was handled by SNV
Six Nations Ventures was registered as a Limited Partnership 'Six Nations Ventures Limited Partnership'.
A three year renewable term contract was signed between Canfor-LP (G.). Corp. and Six Nations Ventures Limited Partnership.
A lease with the option to purchase a 966 front end loader with Finning was completed. 7 days a week.
A new 1800 Madill log loader under Lease with option to purchase was delivered. It had 943 hours on it as it had been used for a short period of time.
Canfor/LP requested that we have another log loader and thus took delivery of a brand new Madill, also under lease with option to purchase.
There was work coming up in the spring and different times of the year to forward logs in the yard. We took delivery of a logging truck and trailer.
Under our contract we were required to supply a second wheeled front end loader as a back- up. We thus purchased a 2000, 966 log loader with 7400 hrs that had the same attachments as our current wheeled front end loader. Both are multi task machines.
SNV had applied for and was awarded $250,000 for Aboriginal Business Canada on two occasions. We thus purchase the two log loaders and the 966 front end loaders plus other equipment.
We returned the $4,980 shareholders loan to the shareholders. Kept $20 for shares. That means that other than the $20, you have no financial risk in the company.
We have since located an office trailer on site for the workers and management.
Louisiana Pacific Canada ltd., bought out Canfor's share in the mill. Mill now 100% owned by Louisiana Pacific Canada Ltd. Name of mill still called Peace Valley OSB (PV OSB)
Peace Valley OSB shut down indefinitely. Contract with Six Nations Ventures terminated.
All SNV equipment moved off of site.
Great News. Under new Management, a very much improved, Louisiana Pacific Canada Ltd., has renewed our contract on September 6th 2023 at the Peace Valley OSB Plant (PV OSB) in Fort St. John. We will be back working year round. Our current contract with Canfor at the mile 118 log yard, just north west of Wonowon, BC currently is only about 6 months a year.
Louisiana Pacific Canada Ltd., with their new management, was very respectfully and fair. They made up very well for their previous managers, very poor way, SNV was treated at shut down in 2019.
Canfor/LP General Manager, Chris Baby and SNV Business Manager, Lyle Mortenson, signing original contract for the log yard in 2005. Kieran Broderick and Carl Pouce Coupe standing
