First of all, it's a renewable resource, and if we manage it properly, we're going to be able to see multiple generations of benefits from that.
I can't stress enough that the McLeod Lake Indian Band started out with a very small opportunity. We actually had to protest to get it. It wasn't because we wanted to stop the activity; it was that we wanted to be a part of it. This was way before my time. Then we were able to develop companies that worked in the forest sector and provided income to our community, which allowed us to develop and pay for housing, schooling and whatever. We developed a trust. There were lots of other things.
I don't speak as a representative but only as a community member. The ability that we've had to deal with.... We were the number one employer in Mackenzie at one time—a small first nation of 230 people that got into the energy industry. It was a stepping stone to get into other alternative types of energy, mining and all kinds of other things. Forestry has been the backbone of the McLeod Lake Indian Band since we can remember.
It's highly important, and being able to be a part of it is amazing.