October 22, 2026
Yellowknife: October 22, 2026: Our Land for the Future Trust released a report today documenting its first year of operations and its $18,395,700 investment in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship in the Northwest Territories. The funds were distributed directly to Indigenous partners to support their ambitions for caring for lands and waters and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
With support from the Trust, Indigenous partners have launched stewardship initiatives, generated jobs, and advanced area-based conservation. This wave of activity—and its benefits to lands and communities—is visible across the North.
In this inaugural year, the Trust distributed funds that enable Indigenous partners to:
Identify 9 new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
Advance the establishment of 9 new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
Manage 6 existing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
Launch 8 new Guardians programs
Sustain 10 existing Guardians programs
The Our Land for the Future Trust supports an unprecedented partnership between more than 20 Indigenous Governments, the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and private donors that invested $375 million in Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and economic development across the Northwest Territories. It involves more Indigenous Governments than any similar conservation initiative in the world, and it was designed with a northern focus on consensus decision making and collaboration.
The work supported by the Our Land for the Future Trust is already making a significant contribution to Canada’s commitments to sustain biodiversity. Building on the conservation leadership of other Indigenous partners in the NWT, for instance, the Tłıc̨hǫ Government has declared three new protected areas on Tłıc̨hǫ lands under Tłıc̨hǫ law spanning 22,565 km2:1) Tłı̨chǫ Nàowoò K’è Dèt’àhot’ı̨ı̨, 2) Gowhaehdǫǫ̀ Yek’e Aet’ıı̨̀ ̨ K’e, and 3) Tıts’aadıı̀ Nadee K’e Wexoedıı. This represents both an important step forward towards the goals of the agreement and demonstrates the breadth of new designations that are being advanced towards Canada’s goals.
The report detailing the Trust’s inaugural investments was tabled today at the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, as required by legislation. The Our Land for the Future Trust will also be featured in a panel hosted by the Government of Canada at the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP17) in Armenia. Canada’s commitment to Our Land for the Future and similar projects was announced in 2022 at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montréal. The panel on October 28 will showcase the central role that Indigenous-led conservation plays in Canada’s plan to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030.
The work supported by the Trust builds on a strong foundation of Indigenous-led conservation in the NWT. Together, Indigenous partners have identified opportunities to support stewardship and conservation across approximately 379,000 km2 of lands and waters over the next 10 years.
During its first year of operations, the Trust secured and invested initial contributions from Canada and philanthropic partners, and established key governance, financial, and operational foundations necessary to launch one of the largest Indigenous-led conservation initiatives in Canada.
Representatives of Our Land for the Future partners shared the following quotes:
“The OLF Trust's long-term, stable funding has enabled the launch of our new Guardian Program, strengthening the Gwich’in presence across our lands and waters. This investment primarily benefits our people, our culture, and the wildlife, lands, and waters we depend on. This is a compelling illustration of what collaborative efforts among Indigenous Nations, communities, and Governments can achieve to safeguard what is vital today and ensure its preservation for future generations.” – Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr, Gwich’in Tribal Council
“The North Slave Métis Alliance (NSMA) is pleased with our participation in the Our Land for the Future (OLF) initiative and optimistic about the opportunities ahead. We look forward to advancing the NSMA Indigenous Guardians Program and using OLF funding to build momentum around protected areas, particularly the Dinaga Wekehodi Candidate Protected Area. This work represents an important opportunity to strengthen NSMA stewardship and care for our lands for future generations.” – President Marc Whitford, North Slave Métis Alliance
“Taking care of our land is fundamental to the Tłı̨chǫ way of life. Our Land for the Future is supporting Tłı̨chǫ self-determination by providing long-term funding for Tłı̨chǫ stewardship and conservation priorities for generations to come.” – Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, Tłı̨chǫ Government
“Our lands have sustained our people since time immemorial, and it is our responsibility to ensure they remain healthy for generations to come. We sincerely thank the Our Land for the Future Trust Fund for its support of Yellowknife Dene First Nation guardians and conservation efforts. This funding allows us to expand our monitoring and stewardship work throughout Chief Drygeese Territory and advance our vision for Indigenous-led conservation through the exploration of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area.” – Chiefs, Yellowknife Dene First Nation
"Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government’s work on the Sahtú K’aowe IPCA - guided by our Prophets' and Elders’ teachings and community direction - is about not only advancing government-to-government decision making throughout the entire Délı̨nę District but also about our youth, our people, healing, being on the land, harvesting and following in the footsteps of our grandparents and ancestors. The Our Land for the Future funding has been critical to this journey of self-determination. The Indigenous-led trust is a major step towards decolonized funding and supports our priorities, enabling us to do the work the Sahtúot’ı̨nę way." – Kirk Dolphus, Ɂek’wahtı̨dǝ́, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Our Land for the Future Trust on a very successful first year in operation. The progress made for communities and nature is a testament to your leadership and dedication. As one of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives in the world, NWT: Our Land for the Future holds national and global significance. These efforts mark a major step toward halting biodiversity loss and advancing Canada’s goal of conserving 30% of lands and waters by 2030.” – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
“Congratulations to Our Land for the Future Trust on this important milestone. The Trust is a leading example of what’s possible when strong partnerships, Indigenous leadership and long-term investment come together. By supporting Indigenous-led conservation and Indigenous Guardians programs, this initiative is helping protect biodiversity, sustain Indigenous ways of life and support local economies across the Northwest Territories, while contributing to the national goal of conserving 30% of lands and waters in Canada by 2030” – The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)
“When Indigenous governments lead conservation and stewardship efforts, the benefits reach far beyond protecting northern lands and waters. Our government is proud to support the Our Land for the Future Trust as it advances Indigenous priorities, creates economic opportunities and sustains ways of life across the Northwest Territories. In its first year, the Trust is already demonstrating what can be achieved through Indigenous leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to nature.” – The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs of Canada
“The achievements made in the first year of Our Land for the Future reflect years of work by Indigenous Governments and Indigenous organizations, the GNWT and other partners to build a conservation model made and designed here in the Northwest Territories. It shows what is possible and what can be built through collaboration, consensus and Indigenous leadership from the outset. These investments support Indigenous-led stewardship, create jobs and strengthen conservation. The GNWT is proud to be part of this partnership that is helping Indigenous communities protect their lands and waters while creating economic opportunities and delivering benefits across the territory that will be felt for generations.” – The Honourable Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of the Northwest Territories
“We celebrate the work of Indigenous partners, in both the Northwest Territories and the Our Land for the Future Trust, in turning the ambitious Indigenous-led conservation vision for people and nature into reality. The progress so far is an example of why project finance for permanence initiatives are among the world’s most promising models for people-driven, large-scale conservation and sustainable development. It also reflects how Indigenous peoples are leading the world in stewarding lands and waters for future generations.” – Tom Dillon, Senior Vice President, Environment and Crosscutting Initiatives, The Pew Charitable Trusts
“The work of The Our Land for the Future Trust to safeguard lands and waters for future generations in a creative and durable way is commendable. The Sitka Foundation is proud to be involved as a philanthropic partner. We hold our hands up to this innovative and helpful work which is already bringing positive change to the critical ecosystems and communities of the NWT.” – Carolynn Beaty, Executive Director, The Sitka Foundation
“Few conservation initiatives have brought together such a breadth of partners—Indigenous governments, the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and private funders—in genuine long-term commitment. The Our Land for the Future Trust is demonstrating what that kind of collaboration can deliver for lands and waters, communities, and reconciliation in Canada.” – Sandy Houston, President and CEO, The Metcalf Foundation
