October 17, 2002 For Immediate Release

Inaugural Event to be held in Smithers

Many northern communities are facing challenges brought about by declining levels of government services, resource-dependency, self-government aspirations of First Nations, etc. All of these issues influence how northern regions are planning their futures.

On Sunday, October 20th, the University's Political Science program will be hosting a first annual conference on northern governance. Titled the Steelhead Seminar, it will involve both past and present practitioners, as well as academics. The participants at the conference range from former provincial ministers, current MLAs, and municipal officers to academics from the University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, University of Waterloo, and UNBC. The session will be opened by Smithers Mayor Brian Northup.

"Communities across northern BC and the other provincial norths have tremendous opportunities for developing new economic initiatives and forging new relationships with First Nations," says Greg Poelzer, Chair of UNBC's Political Science program. "But, these opportunities are tempered by the challenges of declining populations in some communities and uncertainty in many resource industries. Issues of governance are central to how northern communities can meet these challenges. Smithers is a microcosm for what is happening across the North and is a perfect venue for our first conference."

The first annual Steelhead Seminar on Northern Governance will be held in the Sandman Inn from 9am - 4pm on Sunday, October 20th. Media and other residents are welcome to attend. The academic research presented at the conference will be posted on the program webpage.

The UNBC Political Science program focuses its teaching and research on northern regions, especially northern BC and similar areas in Canada and around the world.