Ref. #2-3462
Whitehorse, Yukon (February 15, 2011) - The third First Nation Governance Conference is being held February 15-16 in Whitehorse, hosted by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), the Government of Yukon and the Self Government Secretariat / Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN).
This year the theme of the conference is Sharing Our Knowledge. The conference brings together First Nation, Yukon and federal government representatives to share knowledge, build partnerships and strengthen working relationships.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support this conference, which consistently provides a forum for knowledge exchange and capacity growth that benefits First Nations in Yukon and Northern British Columbia," said John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.
"Yukon First Nations know that fostering good government and strong accountability in their communities increases investor confidence, supports economic partnerships and can help to improve living conditions," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Regional Minister for the North and Minister of Health. "They have been cultivating that knowledge and experience for a quite a while and are sharing it for greater good of all residents of the Yukon."
"Yukon is pleased to support and co-host this conference. We are committed to working with First Nations and Canada on capacity development," Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie said. "This conference will be an intergovernmental opportunity for everyone to benefit from shared knowledge."
"The Council of Yukon First Nations is once again pleased to support and participate in this the third annual Yukon First Nation Governance Capacity Conference. In unity with Self Governing Yukon First Nations, CYFN has long understood the vital role of building capacity in our communities," said Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Ruth Massie. "While capacity development continually occurs within the Yukon First Nation governments and CYFN themselves - the Self Government Secretariat department of CYFN has been working diligently on numerous initiatives that we are more than happy to share over the next two days."
The conference is funded by INAC's Professional and Institutional Development Program, the Government of Yukon, the Northern Strategy Trust Fund and the Self Government Secretariat / Council of Yukon First Nations.
Yumimi Pang
Communications
INAC - Yukon Region
867-667-3810
yumimi.pang@inac.gc.ca
Cheryl Major
Communications
Executive Council Office
Government of Yukon
867-667-5339
cheryl.major@gov.yk.ca
Stewart Breithaupt
Research Analyst
Self-Government
Secretariat/ Council of Yukon First Nations
867-393-9242
Stewart.Breithaupt@cyfn.net
