TORONTO (August 18, 2006) - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced that the first annual Ontario Region First Nation Economic Development Officers Conference is scheduled to take place in London, Ontario, from August 22-24, 2006.
"Canada's new government is committed to supporting economic development in First Nation communities," said Minister Prentice. "Working with our aboriginal and non-aboriginal partners, our goal is to foster long-term, sustainable growth and to create self-reliant communities."
This year's conference is being hosted by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in partnership with the Southern First Nations Secretariat, and the Community Economic Advisory Team Ontario. INAC is working with the conference organizers to enable representatives from all of Ontario's 127 First Nation communities to take part in this event. Persons working in the field of First Nation economic development are also invited to participate.
The theme for this year's conference is Planning for Sustainable Community Economies. The conference is designed to provide First Nation Economic Development Officers with the tools, skills, and networking opportunities they need to effectively deliver economic development programs and services. This is a key commitment of INAC's Community Economic Development Program.
The Southern First Nations Secretariat is a service delivery organization addressing a wide variety of needs related to its seven member First Nation communities which include Caldwell, Chippewas of the Thames, Delaware, Kettle and Stony Point, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Chippewas of Sarnia, and Muncey Delaware.
The Community Economic Advisory Team Ontario is a committee of 10 First Nation Economic Development Officers from across Ontario who provide advice to the INAC Ontario Region regarding the management of the department's economic development programming and services.
For more information, please contact:
Peter Sero
Communications Officer
INAC Ontario Region
25 St. Clair Avenue E. 8th Floor
Toronto ON
(416) 973-6222
