Responding to a combination of great opportunity for and great threat to Aboriginal rights and title, hundreds of First Nations leaders are gathering in Prince George on October 22 and 23. The conference, entitled “Building Land and Resource Alliances Among First Nations II: Exploring Strategies and Actions” follows a conference in Kelowna in September. The conference includes the leadership of the First Nations Summit, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Treaty 8 Nations, and independent bands from all corners of the province. It is a historic event: the first major strategy meeting of First Nations in and out of the B.C. treaty process in 30 years.

Will Horter, Dogwood Initiative’s Executive Director, will present options for financial pressure strategies. He will also contribute to the technical team developing a draft co-ordinated strategy for review by all the leaders on the second day. Keep your eye on the Dogwood Bulletin for updates on the progress of a co-ordinated First Nations strategy.