Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) have been granted $21.6 million to support the stewardship of lands and water throughout the region. The Our Land for the Future trust announced that the initial funding round will benefit 20 Indigenous governments that were signatories to the November 2024 agreement.
The allocated funds are intended to facilitate research, planning, and management of designated conservation areas, as well as species monitoring and language camp initiatives. While specific project recipients for the current funding cycle have not been disclosed yet, the focus is on creating employment opportunities within communities and incorporating Indigenous perspectives into land management practices.
According to Danny Yakeleya, the chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust overseeing the fund allocation, the aim is to empower community members to take on meaningful roles, ensure elders contribute traditional knowledge to protected areas management, and cultivate leadership skills among the youth.
This financial support is part of a larger $375 million fund sourced from the federal government and private donations, with the remaining amount set to be distributed annually over the next decade. Dahti Tsetso, the CEO of the trust, emphasized that the funding distribution to each community will be contingent on project proposals and achievement of set milestones, noting that delays due to last year’s federal election have been addressed.
Moving forward, the Our Land for Future trust is developing a reporting framework for recipient Indigenous governments to track expenditure and milestone accomplishments. Additionally, plans are in place to expand the trust’s workforce this year. Tsetso expressed her personal connection to the initiative, highlighting how the funding will shape the future of the Northwest Territories and enable her children, and others, to embrace their cultural heritage and potential roles within the community.