The federal government has provided $300 million to more than 20 Indigenous governments in the NWT, saying it will create hundreds of jobs in land conservation efforts. But the government won't track how many jobs are actually created.
"There aren't specific numbers," said federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin, who was in Yellowknife on July 22 to sign a deal formalizing the funding. In a press release announcing the investment, Ottawa promises the money will create hundreds of jobs across the NWT.
The funds are part of a major Indigenous-led conservation deal that will cover nearly a third of NWT land. Investments like these are part of a Project Finance for Permanence model, which pairs public and private investments to support large-scale projects. In this instance, private investment will add another $75 million.
SA国际影视传媒 asked Dabrusin how the federal government can promise creating hundreds of jobs, but not track progress for the sake of accountability.
"This is a good news story for the Northwest Territories. It's a good news story for the Indigenous nations who were signed on, along with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government," the minister said in response.
Asked if taxpayers deserve to know what their dollars will produce with this funding, Dabrusin said the most important thing Canadians should be happy about is Indigenous leaders talking about how this funding is important to reconciliation.
Ottawa's $300 million will be turned over to a trust that will manage the money. Danny Yakeleya is the chair of that trust. SA国际影视传媒 made multiple attempts to contact Yakeleya, but he could not be reached prior to publication deadline.
However, Dahti Tsetso, CEO of the Our Land For The Future trust, said a framework that will track job creation is underway. Pressed for when that framework will exist, she could not give an exact date.
"We will be working to do that as soon as possible," she said. "There's no deadline inherent within the agreement. There's just a commitment to develop it and that this is a priority of the partners."
Tsetso added she expects funds will start flowing to Indigenous governments within the next few months.
SA国际影视传媒 also reached out to the CEO of Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN), Matt Spence, to ask if the First Nation had specific hiring targets. YKDFN sent back a statement with no attribution. That statement reads that the First Nation currently has no such targets.
"Key details such as the percentage of funding allocated to YKDFN, disbursement timelines and available socio-economic opportunities will only be known once YKDFN submits a proposal and receives approval from the programSA国际影视传媒檚 governing board," the statement reads.
A recent partial closure of the Ekati diamond mine has cost hundreds of people their jobs. According to the mine's 2024 socio-economic report, a little more than 1,200 people were employed at the site. Close to 17 per cent of those employees were Indigenous Northerners.
CrownSA国际影视传媒揑ndigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty told SA国际影视传媒 that this new funding from Ottawa gives Indigenous governments a chance to expand certain programs.
"It is that opportunity to create employment in the Northwest Territories, but tough to replace the jobs lost at Ekati," Alty acknowledged.
