Eight directors on the regional district board will travel to Saskatoon at the end of the month for workshops and meetings with colleagues around the country.

TNRD chairman Randy Murray said Thursday he could not estimate the cost to taxpayers for eight people, plus staff, to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual general meeting, June 1-4.

Board policy allows each of the 24 directors to go once in a three-year term to the FCM meeting. This year, director and city councillor Nancy Bepple is running for a spot on the federation board.

"If we have that representation we'll have a voice," Murray said.

Murray said one of the key areas of interest for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District is First Nations land development and partnerships.

"As a board, one of the most important aspects of our strategic direction is partnerships with First Nations."

Several thousand representatives who attend will also vote on resolutions that filter up from the council level. Those passed at the national meeting to go the federal government as a recommendation from the FCM.