Cash to flow soon in historic $300M Indigenous-led partnership

“This is how we will diversify the Northern economy and create more jobs, in good ways, jobs that focus on caring for the land and prepare our youth for a better future.”

– North Slave Métis Alliance President Marc Whitford.

Today representatives of the Government of Canada and the Our Land for the Future Trust signed a grant agreement to release $300 million in federal funds for Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and economic development across the Northwest Territories.

This launches the implementation phase of an historic agreement reached in November 2024 and will enable funds to flow to Indigenous partners in the coming months, stated a release.

NWT: Our Land for the Future is an unprecedented partnership between 21 Indigenous Governments, the Government of Canada, the GNWT, and private donors to advance Indigenous stewardship in the north for the benefit of all Canadians.

The grant agreement signed today by Environment and Climate Change Canada Minister Julie Dabrusin and Danny Yakeleya, chair of the partnership’s board of directors.

Minister Dabrusin stated: “Indigenous-led stewardship helps communities, lands, and waters thrive, and NWT: Our Land for the Future is a powerful example of how Indigenous peoples are modelling this leadership for the world.”

Yakeleya stated: “Our historic partnership is moving from the planning phase into action and implementation. Funds will soon flow to Indigenous partners to care for lands and waters and generate sustainable opportunities for the North.”

The partnership will transfer $300 million to the partnership’s trust. Philanthropic partners will then deliver $75 million for a public/private match.

Once funds are received and application processes have been confirmed, the Trust hopes to begin disbursing money to Indigenous Governments and communities within the next several months.

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Indigenous Guardians programs will receive support to help for lands and waters, responding to climate impacts like wildfire and drought, and helping restore caribou and other threatened animals.

Guardians have been shown to support food security, safety, emergency response, and community health and wellbeing, including by revitalizing language and culture. Their presence on the land can help bolster sovereignty in the Arctic region.

The conservation initiatives will also provide greater certainty for industry. This could help create hundreds of jobs per year, including seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions, over the first 10 years alone.

“These funds will enable Indigenous Governments to pursue our stewardship aspirations for our territories. Indigenous leadership includes being able to set our own priorities for our lands, waters, and resources. The partnership we have built respects this spirit of self-determination and supports Indigenous Governments as we care for our lands and build our economy at the same time.”

– Tłı̨chǫ Government Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty.

“This historic initiative is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we work together toward our common goals. By supporting Indigenous leadership, we are not just supporting stewardship of the land, we’re strengthening cultural identity, creating good jobs, conserving our ecosystems, and driving long-term prosperity in the North.”

– Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty.