Lands & Natural Resources

Port Alberni, B.C. – August 2, 2022  – The path forward for C̕awak ʔqin Forestry is now set, with the unveiling today of a new logo and brand that symbolizes the shared vision and values between Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Huu-ay-aht) and Western Forest Products Inc. (Western) in Tree Farm Licence 44 (TFL 44) on Vancouver Island.

C̕awak ʔqin (pronounced sa-wa-kin) Forestry, which means ‘we are one’ in the Nuu-chah-nulth language, shared the new logo and brand as part of an official operations sign unveiling event at its Franklin River Road office near Port Alberni. The logo was designed by Huu-ay-aht father and son artists, Ed Johnson Sr. and Edward R. Johnson, who is also a Huu-ay-aht Councillor. The logo depicts a bear with its four claws digging into two fish and a growing tree in the centre of the design.

“The salmon is the giver of life and the eagle gave the bear his claws so he could catch the fish that he was coaxing up into the woods,” explained Ed Johnson Sr. “The fish carcasses feed the plants and the trees to help them grow.”

“The design speaks to nature’s lifecycle with all the animals working together to protect, nourish and sustain our lands,” said Edward R. Johnson. “It also reflects the company’s vision as a world leading, Indigenous values-driven company, where our collective decisions benefit the waters, people, fisheries, wildlife and lands today and for future generations.”

“Since time immemorial, storytelling has held an important role in the history, culture and learnings of Huu-ay-aht. It reaffirms what we believe in, what we stand for and passes on the teachings from one generation to the next,” said Robert J. Dennis Sr., Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor, who was instrumental in the creation of the ground-breaking partnership with Western. “Branding is no different; it’s a modern word for the communication of who we are: we are C̕awak ʔqin, we are one, and the new signage tells all visitors to the TFL that the partners and workers are united in their commitment to manage these forests sustainably according to our Nations’ sacred principles.”

Last October, Huu-ay-aht and Western announced that TFL 44 Limited Partnership had changed its name to C̕awak ʔqin Forestry (also known by its anglicized legal name of Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership). Since then, feedback was gathered from Huu-ay-aht and Western employees, community leaders, government officials, contractors and suppliers to create the company’s vision, values, branding and design.

“It was clear from these conversations that we all share a common goal: to create a strong and sustainable business where everyone and everything benefits, and where the future is secure,” said Shannon Janzen, RPF, Board Chair for C̕awak ʔqin Forestry and Vice President, Partnerships and Chief Forester of Western. “There was complete alignment that we can only accomplish this by acting as one: C̕awak ʔqin. It is heartening to see the name change in this symbolic sign and sharing the understanding of what this means.”

“This isn’t just a brand; it is a commitment we make to our partners, our employees, the Nation’s citizens and the community at large. It’s about how we show up and what we stand for and a commitment to move forward when everyone is informed and involved,” added Doug Meske, RPF, Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships, who also oversees the C̕awak ʔqin Forestry operations.

Over the coming days and weeks, the new brand signage will go up across forestry operations in the TFL. To commemorate the launch of the new logo and brand, C̕awak ʔqin has also launched a new brand video.

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For media inquiries, contact:  

Amanda Munro, C̕awak ʔqin Forestry

amanda@munrothompson.com, 604-360-3994

About C̕awak ʔqin Forestry

C̕awak ʔqin Forestry (Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership) operates TFL 44 and is a limited partnership between Huumiis Ventures Limited Partnership (wholly owned by Huu-ay-aht First Nations) and Western Forest Products Inc. TFL 44 covers roughly 137,000 hectares of land on west central Vancouver Island in the vicinity of Alberni Inlet and Great Central Lake. More information about the Company’s ground-breaking initiatives can be found here.

View official press release here: C̕awak ʔqin News Release

On April 28, 2022, Huu-ay-aht First Nations and C̕awak ʔqin Forestry hosted the Anacla Old Growth Summit bringing coastal nations together to discuss information on their stewardship and resource management planning and decision-making processes.

The Summit was led by MC, and Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin speaker, Wišqii (Robert Dennis Jr.).

To open the meeting, Wišqii performed a prayer chant. He explained that the chant is of gratitude, that every day you are going to hold close to you what you value and what you cherish, including family, community, and things like vast resources that surround you.

Representing Huu-ay-aht at the front of the room were, Ḥaw̓iiḥ Council (hereditary chiefs), Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin Derek Peters (head hereditary chief), Jeff Cook, Darlene Nookemis, Larry Johnson (sitting in for Tommy Happynook), Zelda Clappis (sitting in for Andrew Clappis), and Alec Frank. From Executive Council, Chief Robert Dennis Sr., and Council members Trevor Cootes, Edward R. Johnson, and Brad Johnson.

“Ḥaw̓iiḥ Chiefs are here forever, their seats will never disappear,” said Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr.. “We know what the principles of our hereditary leaders are and that’s the biggest advantage we have as Huu-ay-aht First Nations, the ḥaw̓iiḥ will guide how we manage our forests.”

The Summit was conducted in accordance with Huu-ay-aht’s Three Sacred Principles of: ʔiisaak (utmost respect), ʔuuʔałuk (taking care of), Hišuk ma c̕awak (everything is one). These three sacred principles are what guide Huu-ay-aht for present and future generations.

“These are strong values that are held by our chief houses and that is something we have never gone away from,” said Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin Derek Peters. “We are in a historic time where we are starting to merge these traditional ways on how we manage our resources. It is through our resources, that we survived. We still need, we still harvest, and we still thrive off our territory today.”

Huu-ay-aht had the privilege of hearing from the Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, who joined the summit virtually to address the attendees.  

“We are continuing to support indigenous communities and respect the decision and right titleholders who have made it clear that they don’t support any more old-growth deferrals in their territory,” said Minister Katrine Conroy. “It’s so encouraging to see nations like Huu-ay-aht First Nations, taking these steps to manage the important forestry values for your community based on the best available scientific data and local indigenous knowledge.”

Following Minister Conroy was Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) President Judith Sayers.

“It is time for First Nations to manage their own lands according to their own values,” said NTC President Judith Sayers. “We have seen Huu-ay-aht assert their title, assert their rights and assert their management, they’ve shown the world that they can do so.”

Presentations on stewardship and resource management planning and decision-making processes were made by Chief Mark Point of Skowkale First Nations, Chief Don Svanvik and Mike Green of ‘Namgis First Nations, Shannon Janzen of C̕awak ʔqin Forestry, and Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin Derek Peters and Marina Rayner of Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

To view the Anacla Old Growth Summit recording, please visit the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ed6R5wU2zg

Anacla Old Growth Summit handout is available for download here: Anacla Old Growth booklet