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Dene Chief Mackenzie has concerns on federal projects office
Concerns were raised about the lack of Dene representation and NWT projects
The leadership of the Dene Nation has shared their concerns regarding the recently established Major Projects Office with the federal government.
Namely, Dene National Chief George Mackenzie is concerned that there has yet to be any project declared for the Northwest Territories.
The mandate of the Major Projects Office, as stated on their page on the Government of Canada website, is to advance major projects throughout the country and to streamline federal project approval. They go on to state that they work to “bring together people and processes to move major projects forward faster, responsibly, and sustainably, while respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and protecting the environment.”
Chief Mackenzie feels that this isn’t happening, however. In a statement released earlier this week, he shared his belief that the Dene Nation has been sidelined from discussions that directly impact their community and environment.
“We are concerned that the NWT is being excluded from the major project discussions. It is essential that the NWT is included in Major Projects that align with the priorities of Dene Communities and Leadership, these must be recognized and prioritized by government officials.”
Chief Mackenzie is also concerned that there is currently no representation of the Dene Nation on the Major Projects Indigenous Advisory Council, and would like to see that situation addressed as soon as possible.
“From the outset, I raised serious concerns regarding the Federal Government’s assurances that First Nations communities would see immediate and substantial economic and social benefits from new infrastructure projects. While these initiatives were promised to enhance our infrastructure and create meaningful employment opportunities, we have yet to witness this in reality.
“Instead, it has become clear that First Nations voices have not been prioritized, and the health and vitality of our environment remain at stake. It is essential that these commitments are not merely words but transformed into tangible actions that uplift our communities.”
