The Gwaii Trust executive met Monday (Jan. 20) with federal Minister of Natural Resources Herb Dhaliwal to talk about islanders taking control of the $24-million South Moresby Forest Replacement Account.
The Gwaii Trust has been lobbying for several years to get the fund under local control. At the moment it is run by the federal and provincial governments. Under the islands' proposal, the $24-million would be deposited with the Gwaii Trust fund, and administered by a separate but similar board.
Administrator Tanu Lusignan, who attended the meeting along with Miles Richardson, Willard Wilson, Warren Foster and Ian Hetman, said the discussion was "positive."
"Basically, the feds are going to be in contact with BC," Mr. Lusignan said, seeking clarification about the province's position. "It was a positive meeting."