A free community dinner will be held tonight at the Watson Lake rec centre in recognition of the social and economic partnership between the town and the Liard First Nation.

The dinner will enable the general public to hear a brief introduction to the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan process.

Written on the dinner invitation is the message: 'Working together as Joint Councils goes a long way towards building a stable healthy community.'

'I am attending the community dinner,' Premier Fentie told the Star yesterday.

'As MLA, I have long encouraged a more co-operative relationship between the Liard First Nation and the Town of Watson Lake.'

A joint release by the town and Liard First Nation Chief McMillan said 'greater economic certainty for the southeast Yukon' will be achieved through shared strategic initiatives between the two groups.

'I am confident that this meeting was the first step along the road of joint co-operation between our two governments on planning this community's long-term future on both economic and social issues,' Watson Lake Mayor Richard Durocher said in the release.

Said Fentie: 'I can go back into the '90s when myself, the town and Liard First Nation were definitely working towards this end so I am extremely pleased the first nation and the town have entered into this agreement - it bodes well for the community.'

Fentie said there is a lot of merit when first nation governments and municipal governments enter into partnerships because communities are empowered in the process.

There was another announcement from the Liard First Nation in mid-December.

A first nation release announced it will create a development corporation to manage the economic development affairs within its traditional territory in southeast Yukon.

Alex Morrison, a Kaska citizen with extensive experience in Yukon first nations economic and community development, will become general manager.

MacMillan said there are many initiatives planned, including resource development, the creation of a log building company, a community economic development plan, increasing housing for first nation citizens in the Watson Lake area, a business joint venture with Lower Post, B.C., and a possible joint venture with the town.

Fentie said other first nations have development corporations, and he supports the formation of one with Liard.

'It's a good move. The Liard First Nation will be able to put its citizens to work and garner economic benefit out of what is going on in the community today and beyond.'