48 projects receive funding to get residents out on the land

Two young trappers during the Rites of Passage program in Aklavik delivered by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, an NWT On The Land Collaborative grant recipient. (Photo courtesy of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation)

The NWT On The Land Collaborative has awarded $840,000 across 48 projects that “connect NWT residents with land, culture, and community.”

The upcoming projects will happen across the territory and were awarded anywhere between $3,700 to $40,000.

According to a news release, projects can have several benefits such as connecting youth and Elders, improving self-esteem, and supporting Indigenous stewardship of the land.

Some of the projects include a winter camping trip for students in Tssiigehtchic, a dog sledding trip for students in Tuktoyaktuk, and a community camp hosted by Dehcho First Nations in the Edzéhzı́e Protected Area.

Here is a full list of the 2021 projects.

The NWT On The Land Collaborative is made up regional Indigenous governments, and funding partners like the territorial government, as well as other corporate and charitable organizations.

Since being founded in 2015, it has allocated about $4.5 million across 270 projects.