Former AFN chief on deck

Former Assembly of First Nations national chief Ovide Mercredi is to be the keynote speaker for a two-day conference on how the Municipality of Greenstone and neighbouring aboriginal communities stand to benefit from mining developments in the Ring of Fire.
The two-day, Grow Greenstone Expo conference at Thunder Bay’s Victoria Inn kicks off this morning and is open to the public.
The free-of-charge event is to feature more than 60 exhibitors that offer “both individuals and businesses the opportunity to learn and discover where to position themselves for success in the expanding mining sector.”
This morning’s opening ceremonies are to include statements by former Ontario premier Bob Rae, now a Toronto MP and interim federal Liberal leader, as well as provincial RoF co-ordinator Christine Kaszycki.
The Municipality of Greenstone has been fashioning itself as the “gateway” to the Ring of Fire belt located about 200 kilometres north of Nakina.
To become the RoF gateway, the town is proposing a $4-million upgrade of telecommunication services and other infrastructure improvements.
Mercredi’s speech is to take place today at 6:30 p.m.
The event’s complete schedule is available at growgreenstoneexpo.com

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/content/news/local/2013/03/25/former-afn-chief-deck