September 26, 2003 For Immediate Release

Health care has become a common concern for all northern communities. Issues of funding, recruiting/retaining health care professionals, and the new health authority structure are the subjects of much discussion and debate in the North. Against a broader background of northern identity, these issues are shaping strategies for governance in northern BC.

On Sunday, October 5th, the University's Political Science program will be hosting its second annual workshop on northern governance. Titled the Steelhead Seminar, it will involve past government practitioners, UNBC faculty, and graduate students. The event will be held at the Sandman Inn in Smithers and run from 9am to 3pm. Media and other residents are welcome to attend.

See www.unbc.ca/events for the Steelhead Seminar agenda.

"Communities across the North are concerned about health care. For many, the ability to provide adequate levels of care is essential to community sustainability and growth," says Gary Wilson, a professor of Political science at UNBC and the organizer of the Steelhead Seminar. "Among the nine presentations will be those giving polished research results; others will be discussing their ideas for research and looking for feedback. Ultimately, this event and others like it will provide people in the area with the opportunity to become familiar with some of the relevant research happening in our region and be able to influence some of the research that will occur in the future."

The UNBC Political Science program focuses its teaching and research on northern regions, especially northern BC and the northern parts of the other Canadian provinces.