Matthew Coon Come, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, is urging U.S. officials to visit Canada to see “first-hand” how forestry is impacting First Nations communities.
The invitation came in the middle of sensitive Canada-U.S. negotiations to renew a trade agreement that regulates Canadian softwood lumber exports to the U.S.
U.S. business is complaining that Canadian wood is too cheap because of lax Canadian rules on forestry.
Cree officials have traveled to Washington several times in the past year to try to convince U.S. officials that First Nations are paying a heavy price for the loose regulations.
Crees and other First Nations say they should have a seat at the bargaining table to renew the softwood agreement.
“Americans need to understand that their cheap Canadian 2x4s are contributing to our enduring social and economic hardship,” said Coon Come in a statement.
He noted that 40 percent of First Nations families are on social assistance, while forestry makes billions off their lands.
