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Conference 2008

Members from more than 40 First Nation communities and organizations gathered in Vancouver at the 2008 BC Treaty Commission-sponsored conference Forging Linkages and Finding Solutions to listen, learn and share their experiences to help create healthy, thriving and sustainable First Nation communities.

More than 130 participants and speakers engaged in interactive and informative discussion on governance, economic development and capacity building - fundamental issues essential to their future governance and development. Conference participants heard from a number of guest speakers and panelists and participated in workshops on the three topics.

Transcripts and digital recordings from the keynote and special session presentations, as well as workshop reports are being prepared and will soon be available on this web page. They will also be compiled into a conference proceedings publication in the coming months. Photos from the conference and a summary of the survey results are currently being assembled and will both be posted online in the coming weeks.

The Treaty Commission extends its gratitude to all conference participants for attending the Forging Linkages and Finding Solutions conference and all speakers and presenters for their valuable contributions.

What They Said:

"I gained so much from this conference. There was so much information sharing at each workshop; I found new tools that my nation can use in our quest for self governance."

"I leave feeling inspired. I'm grateful for the opportunity to listen to and learn from my fellow leaders."

"Overall an excellent conference. We need to provide information like this for tribes who are near AIP. This type of implementation info is a huge eye opener to our table. This gives us an avenue to be able to make informed decisions as opposed to what is put in front of us."

"After many years of community engagement and consultation, it thrilled me to hear a new perspective."

"The workshops have made me take a good look at what's working and what's not working and where I need to re-evaluate my approach to make things better for our community."

"I found the workshops very powerful. Input from many nations on many different issues. So much sharing between nations. Ideas that will be used. Tools that we lacked can now be used to move us ahead."