DESJARLAIS NAMED CEO OF NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT BOARD CORPORATION

The Northern Development Board Corporation (NDB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Desjarlais as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Desjarlais will be the first point of contact for project applications and information requests for the $20-million Northern Development Agreement, the first funded initiative under the Northern Development Accord. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan along with the Board signed both documents last October in La Ronge. Desjarlais will jointly administer projects with federal and provincial representatives.

The board office will be located at Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership offices at the La Ronge Indian Band office. Desjarlais officially began serving as CEO effective April 1st.

"Western Economic Diversification Canada looks forward to working with Mr. Desjarlais and the Corporation Board as the Northern Development Agreement is put into action and opportunities are proposed to develop and strengthen the northern economy," Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development) Stephen Owen said.

"Under the leadership of Dean Desjarlais, the Northern Development Board will work well in partnership with the two levels of government to the benefit of all northerners," Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said.

"We are delighted with Dean coming aboard to work with us. His past experience should be a great asset as we venture forward and begin realizing projects under the Northern Development Agreement," NDB Chair Al Rivard said.

The NDB is comprised of representatives from the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North), together with Athabasca First Nation Chiefs. It was formed by the province in 1998 to address northern issues and now provides input on selecting projects under the Agreement.

"I am looking forward to working with northerners at the grass roots level," Desjarlais said. "The Northern Development Agreement is an exciting opportunity for the North and we are hoping it can lead to even greater opportunities as I will strive to secure other significant agreements under the Accord for the benefit of all northerners."

The Northern Development Agreement provides opportunities for northerners to improve regional economic infrastructure, employment prospects through training and practical skill experience, educational and business expertise, research and industry innovation and the region's attraction of business investment. The federal and provincial governments each committed $10 million to the five-year Agreement.

The Northern Development Accord is a framework for the federal and provincial governments and northern communities to work to improve the living conditions and enhance the economic opportunities available to northerners.

A management committee of two federal and two provincial government representatives and two members of the NDB administers and manages the Agreement including review and approval of all projects.

Detailed information about projects eligible under the Northern Development Agreement is available by contacting the Northern Development Board.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Dean Desjarlais CEO, Northern Development Board La Ronge Phone: (306)425-2444	Joanne Mysak Manager, Consultations, Marketing & Communications Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-5942
John Charlton Director of Communications Regina Phone: (306)787-5061 Email: jcharlton@sna.sk.ca Cell: (306)539-6771