Indigenous governments in the N.W.T. sign $375M deal to protect their land

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 Behchokǫ̀ Thursday morning to mark the signing, with over 200 people attending. 

The agreement, also signed by the federal and N.W.T. governments, is called N.W.T.: Our Land for the Future.

Gary Anandasangaree, federal minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and leaders from Indigenous governments across the Northwest Territories were in attendance. 

The federal government contributed $300 million to the initiative, while private donors contributed $75 million. 

Funds are expected to be received starting in mid-2025 and flow for 10 years after that. 

The funds can be used to establish new protected and conservation areas as identified by Indigenous governments and to support guardian and stewardship programs. 

The money 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," Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty said . 

He said the agreement "respects our diversity and our unique priorities that our communities and our nation have for the land and also for the economy."

Lafferty also said it's an important step forward to support land stewardship and guardianship.

"It balances economic benefits with our culture and environmental values," he said. 

Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said it's a "powerful relationship" being created between Indigenous governments and the federal government through the agreement. 

"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 driven by Indigenous people. 

"We're protecting the spirit of the land ... the land itself is a living organ and itself, it needs protection.

"If we're going to reconcile ... the most important thing is to reconcile with the land and the water that's out there," Norwegian added.

Anandasangaree said the agreement will contribute to protecting biodiversity and northern ecosystems. 

"This is about Canada and the territory following your lead," he told those in attendance Thursday. "We as a country are counting on you to continue the work you have always done."

Jay Macdonald, the N.W.T.'s Environment and Climate Change minister, said the work that went into bringing all of the governments together on the agreement "was nothing like I experienced in my career before."

"This agreement is a testament to the strength of N.W.T. communities," he said. 

Dahti Tsetso, deputy director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, facilitated the working group behind the agreement. 

"It is very rare for an opportunity to come along that has the potential to catalyze large-scale, cross-generational impact," she said.

Tsetso ended the ceremony by asking people in the room to imagine their vision for the future. 

"Now I don't know about you, but that picture sure gives me hope."