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Tłı̨chǫ Government seeks input from citizens on Arctic Economic and Security Corridor
The all-season road is one of the territory's nation‑building projects referred to Ottawa's Major Projects Office, designed to accelerate planning and approvals
The Tłı̨chǫ Government is inviting its citizens to complete a short survey to learn more about the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and share their voices.
The Tłı̨chǫ Government states that citizen input helps guide decisions that impact Tłı̨chǫ lands, communities, and future generations.
The Arctic Economic and Security Corridor is a nation‑building project led by the Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, in partnership with the GNWT, and supported by Canada.
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- Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, left, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation Dettah Chief Ernest Sangris celebrate after signing a MoU in the Fall of 2025 to work jointly Nation to advance the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
The project aims to build an all‑season road to the Arctic to support northern economic development, critical minerals, community well‑being, and Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, with Indigenous leadership at its core. The Corridor would provide a vital transportation link for Northern communities, connecting the existing territorial highway system to Grays Bay, Nunavut, stated a release.
While a final route has not been chosen, Tłı̨chǫ leadership has expressed a preference for routing through Tłı̨chǫ lands, and all project partners are committed to working together to identify a route that is broadly supported.
The Tłı̨chǫ Government stated that it is committed to advancing Tłı̨chǫ language, culture, well‑being, and way of life by supporting economic self‑sufficiency, healthy and safe communities, caribou protection, responsible access to mineral‑rich areas, and long‑term planning for future generations.
Questions include: From your perspective, what are the three most important priorities to ensure the Arctic Corridor project is done properly? (Select three)
- Protecting caribou and wildlife.
- Connecting communities to road infrastructure.
- Creating training and employment opportunities.
- Maximizing Tłı̨chǫ economic development and financial benefits.
- Managing access by outsiders along the road (for example: hunting, cabin building, traffic).
- Supporting community health, well‑being, and safety.
- Reducing the cost of living in communities.
- Improving community infrastructure.
- Protecting and promoting Tłı̨chǫ culture, language, and way of life.
- Supporting youth and future generations of Tłı̨chǫ Citizens.
- Building positive relationships with Indigenous neighbours and other governments.
The survey offers a chance to win a prize and can be accessed here.
Meanwhile, Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Department of Culture and Lands Protection will be visiting communities to share updates on the Corridor.
Community members are encouraged by leadership to attend, learn more, and share their perspectives. Your voice matters in how this work moves forward.
Meetings scheduled:
- Gamètì – Thursday, April 23rd, Community Hall, 5 pm.
- Behchokǫ̀ – Monday, April 27th Culture Centre, 5 pm.
- Sǫ̀mbak’è (Yellowknife) – Tuesday, April 28th, Tree of Peace, 5 pm.
- Wekweètì – Wednesday, April 29th, Youth Centre, 5 pm.
- Whatì – Monday, May 4th, Community Hall, 5 pm.
Dinner and door prizes will be provided at each meeting.
For more information, contact the Department of Culture and Lands Protection at: lands@tlicho.ca.
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- A 900-kilometre all-season road, within a utilities corridor, will be built to connect to the North American road network at Yellowknife to a deep-water port in Nunavut. The road will pass through the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province, enabling critical minerals development including copper, zinc, and lithium. (Image: West Kitikmeot Resources Corp.)
