September 22, 2003 For Immediate Release

University of Northern British Columbia professor Jim McDonald will be one of 33 delegates joining the Governor-General on state visits to Finland and Iceland early next month.

Dr McDonald is Chair of the Anthropology program at UNBC, a member of the University of the Arctic Executive Committee, and Vice-President of the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies. His recent research has focused on First Nations social organization and land tenure at Kitsumkalum (near Terrace). He has also worked with the Nisga'a on local education issues, helped to organize anthropology field schools in Russia, and studied the recovery of the Gaelic language and culture in Scotland and the comparisons with indigenous languages in other northern places.

"Being part of these state visits is a real honour for me and for UNBC," says Dr McDonald. "People in metropolitan centres may not always understand the value of building northern links, but the similarities between the regions is amazing and regions such as ours have a lot to gain from greater collaboration. A focus on the North is good to see and consistent with Canada's foreign policy direction."

The state visits have been planned to strengthen Canada's links with the circumpolar world. The central theme is "The Modern North" and will include public discussions, roundtables, and events focusing on common issues, challenges, and realities of living and working in a northern environment.

Dr McDonald will be leaving Prince George on October 2nd. The visit to Finland and Iceland will conclude on October 15th.