LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
In an effort to promote discussion about the economic future of the Deh Cho region, Dehcho First Nations and the Dehcho Economic Corporation have joined forces to hold a conference in Fort Simpson.

Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian says an upcoming economic development conference aims to generate discussion around the future of the region. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Dubbed the Dehcho Economic Readiness Forum, the conference will run from March 27 to 30 and aims to bring together community leaders, youth and aboriginal businesses.

Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian says the forum is a way to look forward to the future of the region and was prompted by community leaders wanting to "get ready for the inevitable."

He said once the Dehcho Process comes to a close, there will be opportunities for communities and businesses to actively move forward on developing the economy of the region.

"We're hoping to be able to hold some roundtables and get people engaged in having discussions with business leaders. People will have a chance to hear each other out (on) where they want to go with the potential here in the Deh Cho," Norwegian said.

The forum builds on the past success of similar conferences Dehcho First Nations has held over the years, including the Dehcho Means Business conference and the Dehcho Business conference.

"It's been an ongoing thing," Norwegian said.

"It's something that people wanted to engage in."

The theme of the conference will be "powering growth, shaping the future." Norwegian said concerns about the future of the region are what prompted Dehcho First Nations to include youth in the conference.

The goal of that, he said, was to give young people an opportunity to see how economic development could unfold from the ground up.

"Every aspect of Deh Cho life, anything we do, has always been about accelerating and moving forward . and making sure the next generation understands where we're going with all the resources that are available to us," he said.

"Once we have a good final agreement, it's going to be themselves that actually take it and run with it . They need to understand this is going to be their future."

Speaking of the future of the Deh Cho, Norwegian said he recently returned from a mining show in Vancouver.

He attended that show accompanied by executive assistant Greg Nyuli and Sambaa K'e Dene Band Chief Dolphus Jumbo.

Norwegian said he agreed to attend the show as a way to educate the "movers and shakers" of the mining industry about the Deh Cho region.

"It was a good time to lobby," he said, adding that the Dehcho First Nation's land use plan is nearing finalization.

"The ground rules are being laid down and it's a way of how we can establish rules of engagement with the industry. For them, it's really important they have certainty, because they want to know who the landowners are and what areas are going to be open for development."