A formal framework for partnership on housing planning and initiatives has been signed between Gwich’in Tribal Council and Housing NWT.
Tribal Council Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik stated: “Housing and infrastructure remain critical issues within the Gwich’in Settlement Area, and this collaboration is a positive step in designing housing programs and services that take into account some of our unique needs and challenges in the future.”
The primary forum for discussions between the Gwich’in Tribal Council and Housing NWT will be a Housing Working Group.
This group will work to prioritize community housing planning, coordinated program delivery, and housing delivery undertaken by the respective parties.
The Grand Chief and Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana participated in a signing ceremony on April 23, 2024, in Inuvik.
The Collaborative Agreement on Housing will cover Gwich’in communities of Aklavik, Inuvik, Teetł’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) and Tsiigehtchic.
The Gwich’in Tribal Council stated it’s comitted to working with Housing NWT and the federal government to deliver quality housing and community infrastructure for the benefit of Gwich’in participants.
Minister Kuptana stated: “Housing NWT is focused on cultivating collaborative relationships with Indigenous Governments. This agreement will create a roadmap for the Gwich’in Tribal Council and Housing NWT to work together on housing programs and services.”
Over the past two years, Housing NWT has signed intergovernmental agreements on housing with the Tłı̨chǫ Government, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and Délı̨nę Got’ine Government.
