For Immediate Release
September 15, 2004

Nexen becomes lead partner for Banff Centre Aboriginal Leadership programs

The Banff Centre is pleased to announce an important new partnership with Calgary-based energy company Nexen Inc., which will provide ongoing support for the Centre’s Aboriginal Leadership and Management (ALM) programs. As lead partner for ALM, Nexen has generously donated $150,000 over three years.

“Nexen is committed to developing positive relations with Aboriginal people,” says Charlie Fischer, President and CEO of Nexen Inc. “The Banff Centre is ideally positioned to make a positive contribution to the development of Aboriginal leaders and managers, as they face the challenging decisions of the 21st century.”

Brian Calliou, director of Aboriginal Leadership and Management at The Banff Centre, adds that this partnership will have a strong impact on future leaders and their communities. “In order for Aboriginal economies to flourish, our communities need to assume self-determination and take action through strong leadership,” he says. “The resources that we provide for Aboriginal leaders to build good governance structures, effective institutions and successful economic ventures, are all made more effective through this generous partnership.”

In its 32nd year of operation, Aboriginal Leadership and Management at The Banff Centre has become one of the world’s leading institutions in its field. With programs developed and designed by Aboriginal leaders from across Canada and the United States, ALM specializes in high-impact, experiential methods that effect change and growth in Aboriginal Nations, communities, and businesses. Its programs deliver high-level skills development in areas including board governance, negotiation, Aboriginal health, economics, and Indigenous women in leadership.

Nexen Inc., is an independent global energy and chemicals company listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol NXY. Formerly known as Canadian Occidental Petroleum, Inc., Nexen is positioned for growth in the Gulf of Mexico, the Athabasca oil sands, Yemen, and West Africa.

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For more information on Aboriginal Leadership and Management at The Banff Centre, see: www.banffcentre.ca/departments/leadership/aboriginal.asp