Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 12/98) - Aboriginal, non-aboriginal and government representatives met this week in Yellowknife to hammer out what they hope is the beginning of a new direction for Northern resource economic development.

The key, according to a former provincial premier, is unity of purpose.

The last thing many said they want is for the two days of brainstorming to be remembered as another meeting with good intentions and no action.

The Dogrib Group of Companies, Deton'Cho Corporation, Kitikmeot Corporations and the NWT Chamber of Mines sponsored the conference, which was funded by the GNWT and the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

"Development continues to be challenged by lack of access to capital. Collaborative initiatives are needed," Deton'Cho Corp. president Darrell Beaulieu said. "I'll work with anybody who is interested in working with aboriginal groups," Dogrib Grand Chief Joe Rabesca said.

Former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford suggested Northerners must "demonstrate cohesiveness."

Peckford, premier from 1979 to 1989, currently runs a B.C.-based company, recently began consulting for Nuna Logistics, the firm pursuing road and port infrastructure development in the Kitikmeot.

When it comes to economic development, Peckford said if a "collective and common message" is not handed to Steward, then the federal government will have an out.

"Divisiveness excuses the federal government from doing anything," he said.

"It's the natural ebb and flow of politics and economics of this country."

Kitikmeot Corp. president Charlie Lyall said he believes the North that flow is about the increase. The North, he said, is poised for change because industry and aboriginal groups are both talking development.

"I've been working in the North for 25 years, I've never seen all these groups come together and say we'd like to see resource development," Eric Christensen said.

Christensen, who runs a consulting company in Yellowknife, prepared a 34-page paper on aboriginal-industry resource development for the two-day conference at the Explorer Hotel.

Christensen said the conference stems from changes expected at the federal and territorial levels.

The federal government and the GNWT are expected to develop new aboriginal economic development strategies this year.

Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jane Stewart challenged the North to come up with a plan, Christensen said.

To respond to that challenge, the Northern group will form a task force consisting of representatives from the NWT Chamber of Mines and aboriginal groups.

The plan, to be presented to Stewart within 30 days of the conference, is expected to cover aboriginal corporate capacity, equity capital and financial support, resources and transportation as well as education and training.