July 21, 2010
Cheslatta Carrier Nation Thanked for 2010 Games Podium

BURNS LAKE - Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad presented a gift of appreciation to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation for donating wood that was harvested underwater, and used to build a podium for the 2010 Paralympic Games.

"The underwater pine podium tells the story of the innovation, entrepreneurship and determination of the Cheslatta people and the forest industry in B.C.," said Rustad. "Watching the world's best athletes celebrate medal-winning performances on wood harvested by friends and neighbours, was a very special part of the Games experience in Cheslatta and Burns Lake."

Cheslatta Carrier Nation Chief Corrina Leween was presented with a special 76 cm x 76 cm x 10 cm (30-inch x 30-inch x 4-inch) shadow box containing a medal tray identical to the ones used during the Games, and a photo of delighted cross-country ski team medallists from Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus celebrating on the podium. The recognition also included a special edition, coffee-table book featuring all of the podiums, printed specifically to thank donating licensees, and a letter of gratitude from Premier Gordon Campbell.

"The Cheslatta Carrier Nation was proud to have their unique wood resource showcased at the 2010 Winter Games," said Chief Leween. "So much of our history and the spirit of the Cheslatta People are embedded into every fibre of the underwater wood. The beautiful podium confirms the integrity and versatility of the submerged pine and spruce, and we hope many people took notice."

The lodgepole pine was harvested from the bottom of the Nechako Reservoir through a partnership between the Cheslatta and Triton Logging, using remotely operated, submarine-style equipment to recover trees from waters as deep as 100 metres. The wood was milled at the Cheslatta Forest Products mill in Ootsa, and converted into panels, cut into complex shapes using sophisticated computer-controlled machinery and assembled into a podium in Vancouver.

It was used for cross-country skiing events at the Whistler Paralympic Park. A profile of the podium is at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/Olympics/podiums/Podium_Profile_Cheslatta_Carrier.pdf.

"The podiums highlighted British Columbian wood products to millions of Games viewers around the world," said Bell. "With success in silviculture, harvesting, timber sales and the manufacturing and marketing of value-added products, the Cheslatta are proving how First Nations and small communities can be successful partners in forestry."

The Ministry of Forests and Range sourced the wood and co-ordinated the production of 23 podiums used at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The podiums were made from 18 wood types donated from community forest operators and other forest licensees around the province.

The Cheslatta Nation Community Forest began in 2002, with more than 1.1-million cubic meters of pine harvested and more than six million trees planted since then. The community forest has contributed $1.2 million to local projects since then. The Cheslatta also produce custom-dimension lumber, hand-crafted canoe paddles, drum frames, carved spirit feathers, jewellery and giftware from lodgepole pine.

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