October 14, 2004 for immediate release

UNBC researchers are participating in a new, national study of theissues facing local and regional governments and an information sessionin Smithers this weekend will shape how northern communities willparticipate.

The study is involving 66 researchers from universities across Canada,including UNBC Political Science professors Gary Wilson and TracySummerville. A number of key issues will be targeted during theresearch: emergency planning, federal property, immigrant settlement,image building, infrastructure, and urban aboriginal policy. Among theissues addressed will be how different levels of government worktogether and how interaction can be improved. The researchers in BCwill focus on federal lands and immigrant settlement.

Local government officials and First Nations leaders from throughoutnorthern BC have been invited to the initial research session at theHudson Bay Lodge in Smithers on Saturday. In addition to discussionabout northern BC's participation in the study, a presentation will begiven by UNBC Geography professor Catherine Nolin, who is currentlyconducting a study of immigrant and refugee settlement in communitiesaround northern BC.

The session will mark the third annual Steelhead Seminar on NorthernGovernance that has been presented in Smithers by the University'sPolitical Science program. Last year's Steelhead Seminar focused on thepolitical issues of health care delivery in the North.

The national study is being coordinated from the University of WesternOntario and is being funded by the Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada.