On Thursday, October 11 Dr. Frances Abele delivered a keynote address titled “Challenges in Understanding the Emerging Northern Economy,” at the Northern Governance and Economy Conference: Pathways to Prosperity. The Conference, October 10-12 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, aimed to encourage reflection on possible changes to political institutions in Northern Canada in order to better accommodate shifting governance authorities, such as land claims, self governance and devolution, to support social and economic stability while also forging concrete partnerships, mechanisms and strategic goals necessary to enact changes toward social and economic stability and prosperity.
Dr. Abele’s address discussed the dynamics of modern northern economies, and how they limit and shape the options facing northern communities, governments and institutions. It also asked what conditions have to be taken into account as public and Indigenous authorities plan for the well-being of northern cities, towns and hamlets, and the impact public hearings on major resource development projects have on the discourses surrounding economic policy options in Northern Canada.
Please click here to access the audio files from the conference, including Dr. Abele’s keynote.