Last week the University College of the North In partnership with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Look North held a two day conference at the Kikiwak Inn Called Linkages in Northern Economic development.

UCN President Doug Lauvstad told Arctic Radio News that the idea behind the conference is to link governments, communities and organizations together and have a conversation about northern economic development for the future of Northern Manitoba. Lauvstad believes that there is potential for people to start small businesses here in the north.

The conference featured guest speakers including the CEO of AGT Foods Murad Al Katib where he said he had an optimistic view of how the north would benefit from the Port of Churchill including the shipping of western Canadian food products.

Opaskwayak Cree Nation Chief Christian Sinclair and Minister of Growth Enterprise and Trade Blaine Pederson also spoke at the conference.