Inuit must be part of Plan Nord discussion: Nunavik group

Representatives fromNunavik, Que., who are at the Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, sayInuit have to be part of the discussion for any plans to develop the province's north.

PlanNordis the province's long-term economic strategy to develop Quebec's northern-most communities.

The provincial government says by 2035, it plans toinvest$50 billion in the public and private sectors the plancovers. The government has yet to release more details.

At the Arctic Council conference this weekend,Quebec Premier PhilippeCouillardis scheduled to give a keynote speech on PlanNord.

The conference brings together high-level political and business leaders, as well as academics and scientists from countries around the circumpolar world.

In all, 34 nations are represented, including China, Japan, Germany, Ireland and England.

Representatives from Makivik Corporation an organization that's mandated to protect the rights, interests and financial compensation of Inuit in Nunavik say they're waiting to hear what the province of Quebec has to say about Plan Nord.

Vice Presidents Michael Gordon andAdamieAlakuand Corporate Secretary AndyPirtiare there as part of Makivik.

Since Plan Nordwas revealed in 2011, Aboriginal groupshave protested against it, saying it will damage the North's fragile ecosystem.

The Arctic Circle conference wraps up on Sunday.