Twenty-two Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories have signed on to a funding agreement worth $375 million over the next 10 years meant to be used for conservation, stewardship and more.
A ceremony took place in Behchok╟л╠А Thursday morning to mark the signing, with over 200 people attending.┬а
The agreement, also signed by the federal and┬аN.W.T. governments, is called┬аN.W.T.: Our Land for the Future.
Gary Anandasangaree, federal minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and leaders from Indigenous governments across the Northwest Territories┬аwere in attendance.┬а
The federal government contributed $300 million to the initiative, while private donors contributed $75 million.┬а
Funds are expected to be received starting in mid-2025 and flow for 10 years after that.┬а
The funds can be used to establish new protected and conservation areas as identified by Indigenous governments and to support guardian and stewardship programs.┬а
The┬аmoney can also be used for things like eco-tourism and traditional economic activities, climate research, and on-the-land language and culture programs .
It’s one of the largest Indigenous-led conservation efforts in the world, according to a news release.
“It’s our land, and that means ‘we’. We’ve done this together,”┬аT┼В─▒╠иch╟л┬аGrand Chief Jackson Lafferty┬аsaid .┬а
He said the agreement┬а“respects our diversity and our unique priorities that our communities and our nation have for the land and also for the economy.”
Lafferty also┬аsaid it’s an important step forward to support land stewardship and guardianship.
“It balances economic benefits with our culture and environmental values,” he said.┬а
Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian┬аsaid it’s a “powerful relationship” being created between Indigenous governments and the federal government through the agreement.┬а
“In the North here, we are actually a shining light,” he said. “We’re going to create something totally unique.”
Norwegian said the agreement was┬аdriven by Indigenous people.┬а
“We’re protecting the spirit of the land … the land itself is a living organ and itself, it needs protection.
“If┬аwe’re going to reconcile … the most important thing is to reconcile with the land and the┬аwater that’s out there,” Norwegian added.
