The Economic Developers Association of Canada’s (EDAC) 47th annual conference was held in Whitehorse this week with one main idea at the forefront: being different.

The conference for the nation’s organization for economic developers wrapped up Tuesday afternoon.

It did so after four days of jam-packed itineraries, including community tours, a golf tournament, mountain biking and a couple of “different” speakers.

One speaker was Canadian poet Shane Koyczan, who garnered the attention of people nationwide when he performed at the opening ceremonies at Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics.

Another speaker drew on his political background to drive home some of the conference’s key themes.

Canada’s 16th prime minister, Joe Clark, took the stage Tuesday afternoon at the Yukon Convention Centre.

Sworn in before his 40th birthday in the summer of 1979, Clark, a Progressive Conservative, was the youngest prime minister Canada has had.

Though he eventually left politics after 30 years in the House of Commons as an MP, the 76-year-old continues to work with international foundations on issues of governance, democratic reform, security and peace.

Clark was the prime minister when Jake Epp, the minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, wrote a historic letter enshrining the Yukon with many powers of provincial-type responsible government.

Addressing how old institutions can serve new realities, Clark discussed in his speech how Canada can work with First Nations as an approach to economic development.

“I want to refer to one major Canadian issue where I believe new opportunities arise but old adages will discourage new approaches,” Clark said.

“Relationships between Canada’s indigenous people ... and the rest of the Canadian population.”

Clark said it became quite a positive relationship, though there was violence on both sides.

“It’s worth our while to make that relationship positive again,” he told his Whitehorse audience.

The reason it’s possible to do so, according to Clark, is that Canadians have had a few things to increase determination.

These would include the “eloquent and jarring” hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), for starters.

“I think the impact of the evidence of the TRC is both an imprint and an opportunity for us to move forward,” he said.

In addition, the fact that Canada has had serious negotiations to establish 400 land claim agreements with First Nations is proof that we’re making progress, Clark said.

He also pointed to Supreme Court decisions such as that in June 2014.

At that time, there was the unanimous decision to grant aboriginal title to a large chunk of land in British Columbia to the Tsilhqot’in First Nation – the first time the court had made such a ruling regarding aboriginal land.

At the time, B.C.’s Grand Chief said the ruling will establish a solid platform for reconciliation to take place in the province.

“We Canadians are proof that serious negotiation and progress are possible,” Clark said.

EDAC’s webpage for the event indicated that attendees could expect the conference to be “a little different.”

The Yukon gained the opportunity to showcase its own “different” sides – having a youth panel featuring local organization BYTE and performances from members of the Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue and Haines Junction’s Dakwäkäda Dancers at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

Attendees could also sign up for various tours.

Those included a trip to Dawson City to see how the community has maintained its unique character through heritage building repurposing.

Another destination was Faro, for a lesson in community survival – or, what happened when the largest operating open-pit lead-zinc mine in the world shut down in early 1998 after having begun operations in 1969.

Another tour to Haines Junction was focused on First Nations-led economic development, recognizing the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations as being economic leaders.

The association represents every province and territory across Canada with nearly 1,000 members.

Its mission is to enhance the professional competence of economic development professionals, ensure placement of qualified people in the field of economic development, to advance economic development as a distinct, recognized, and self-governing profession and to contribute to Canada’s well-being.