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FOR RELEASE     #05-280
October 28, 2005

Premier Will Highlight Successful Partnerships At Aboriginal Resource Expo

WHITEHORSE - The Yukon government is making significant progress in managing its natural resources through economic partnerships with Yukon First Nation governments.

This is the message Premier Dennis Fentie will be sharing with over 200 delegates next week at the Aboriginal Resource Expo in Vancouver.

"It is our belief that Yukon First Nations should be full partners in Yukon's economic development," Fentie said. "To achieve this, we are working in partnership with First Nations to guide resource sector growth and to provide certainty to investors."

The theme of the Resource Expo is "Strategies for Indigenous Self-Reliance." Western and Northern Canada are experiencing one of the greatest sustained eras of wealth creation in the history of Canada. First Nations are being faced with an unprecedented opportunity to forge a new era of self-reliance from this dynamic period of growth and expansion.

"One of our government's key priorities is building stronger working relationships with First Nations," Fentie said. "These relationships, based on mutual respect and cooperation, open the door to many opportunities."

Yukon is a leader in Canada in the settlement of aboriginal land claims, with 11 of 14 First Nations having final and self-government agreements.

The Aboriginal Resource Expo is an annual high-profile event in which business leaders come together to discuss new developments and opportunities in Aboriginal business.

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 Contact:  
 Peter Carr   Andrea Buckley
 Cabinet Communications  ECO Communications, Director
 (867) 667-8688  (867) 667-5270 or (867) 334-2847
 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca  andrea.buckley@gov.yk.ca