The Stand up for the North Conference will get underway tomorrow with a 9 a.m. welcome from Chief Dominic Frederick . That will mark the official start of two days of discussion on the infestation of the Mountain Pine beetle and what communities can expect in the way of economic impact, and what they can do to ensure their community survives.

The two days will look at a variety of topics from the effects of the infestation on jobs and families to timber cutting practices and raw log exports.

The second day of the conference will focus on bringing about change, and community empowerment.

Questions to be discussed include:

How can we get more value out of wood?

What kind of education and training is needed to make the change to a more diversified industry?

How can the north work together to improve the situation for the common good?

The conference has attracted a variety of speakers from the woods industry, environmentalists, community activists, labour, First Nations, and government.

The conference gets underway Saturday at 9:00 at CNC.

Registration is free, and all who register are entered to win a 20 inch t.v. with built in DVD player.