Birch Narrows First Nation signs MOU to develop oilsands.

A new partnership is in the works for the Birch Narrows Dene Nation and a Canadian oil company looking at developing the province's emerging oilsands industry. Oilsands Quest and the First Nation recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will build on an economic relationship between the two parties. They will work together to identify and address the economic benefits, and the environmental, social and other potential impacts of Oilsands Quest's activities on its permit lands.

Birch Narrows Dene Nation Chief, Robert Sylvester, stated in a press release that he is optimistic about the new relationship.

"The MOU is the beginning of a relationship of mutual respect and understanding," Sylvester said. "This agreement recognizes our focus on creating environmentally sustainable development opportunities for our community, offers new business and employment opportunities for our local residents and also recognizes that social, economic and environmental impacts need to be addressed."

The MOU formalizes Oilsands Quest's commitment to the Birch Narrows Dene Nation to provide better access to business and employment opportunities with Oilsands Quest and provide a mechanism for building a strong relationship.

"We will work with the Birch Narrows Dene Nation to continue to build our relationship and create business and employment opportunities," stated Oilsands Quests Inc. President Chief Executive Officer Christopher H.

Hopkins. "We value northern employees and contractors and take pride in the impact our opportunities bring to their families and communities."