Chief Clarence Louie to speak at Hearst, Mattice Val-Côté Chamber of Commerce dinner

Hearst, January 28, 2008 – The Hearst Mattice Val-Côté Chamber of Commerce banquet will be held on Thursday, April 10th, 2008 in Hearst, Ontario.

This year’s dinner will host Chief Clarence Louie from the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia. The keynote address will focus on communities working together to prosper economically.

First elected in 1985, Clarence Joseph Louie has consistently emphasized economic development as a means to improve his people’s standard of living. Chief Louie believes that “Aboriginal people and government must make self sustaining job creation and business growth an everyday priority.”

The Osoyoos Indian Band’s corporate motto is “In business to preserve our past by strengthening our future.”

The Hearst Chamber of Commerce embraces Chief Louie’s vision of cooperation and wishes to bring awareness and stimulate partnerships between communities at its banquet to be held in Hearst April 10th.

Being neighbouring communities, Constance Lake and Hearst have a long standing affiliation. Both communities wish to work closer on a number of issues. The need to diversify the region’s economy has never been that imminent and joint efforts are vital to achieving sustainability.

“We hope that Chief Louie’s knowledge and experience on the importance of cooperation between communities will stimulate understanding of each other’s culture and encourage people, businesses, leaders and governments to work closer with First Nations.” explains Chief Arthur Moore of the Constance Lake First Nations.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Pierre Dalcourt, is pleased to be offering members and the community at large the opportunity to hear Chief Louie speak. “The challenges we are currently facing can be overcome only through cooperation and by putting aside individual needs for the needs of the overall community and region.”

Tickets will be available at the Hearst Tourist Information Centre in February. To purchase event tickets, call (705)372-2838 or toll free at 1-800-655-5769.

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Contact :
Pierre Dalcourt
President
Hearst Mattice Val-Côté Chamber of Commerce
(705)362-4425

Shana Verrier
Tourism Coordinator
Hearst Economic Development Corporation
705.372.2839
sverrier@hearst.ca