Over $21 Million Delivered to Indigenous Governments for Conservation and Stewardship in the NWT
February 26, 2026
Yellowknife: February 26, 2026: The Our Land for the Future Trust is gathering with all partners to review progress and announce its first round of investments in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship today. It is distributing $21.6 million to Indigenous Partners committed to caring for lands and waters and diversify local economies across the Northwest Territories. The announcement reflects an intense and rapid timeline: the transition from signing the final agreement to delivering funds to communities took 15 months.
The Our Land for the Future Trust supports an unprecedented partnership between 21 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.
Today’s announcement marks the first of many investments from the trust designed to create tangible benefits on the land and in communities. Early investments focus on protected areas and Guardians programs—as agreed upon in the final agreement that partners signed in 2024.
Some Indigenous Partners will use these funds to study, plan, or manage protected areas they have identified. Others will invest in putting more Guardians on the ground to help monitor species, conduct research and support on-the-land programming like language camps. These activities will help expand sustainable economic growth in the north: the initiative expects to support hundreds of jobs a year as it matures.
“We made a commitment to the land and to our people when we signed the agreement in November 2024. Today we are delivering on that promise,” said Danny Yakeleya, Chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust. “These investments will change lives. People will find meaningful jobs in their community instead of leaving for work. Elders will guide the management of new protected areas in ways that reflect Indigenous law and knowledge. And youth will develop skills to care for the land and become leaders. We are building this reality, starting now.”
A recent decision by the Tłıc̨hǫ Government marks a major milestone for this initiative. The Tłıc̨hǫ declared three new protected areas on Tłıc̨hǫ private lands under Tłıc̨hǫ law spanning 22,565 km2: Tłıc̨hǫ Naowoo K’e Det’ahot’ıı̨ ̨Gowhaehdǫǫ̀ Yek’e Aet’ıı̨̀ ̨ K’e, and Tıts’aadıı̀ Nadee K’e Wexoedıı. These designations constitute a major contribution to Canada’s target of protecting 30% of lands by 2030 and make substantial progress toward the NWT: Our Land for the Future milestones.
“We are proud to take care of the land at the same time as we explore opportunities like Tłıc̨hǫ Minerals and the Arctic Economic Corridor. As Tłı̨chǫ we are strong like two people – we are leaders in economic development and in protecting our language, culture, and way of life.” said Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty of the Tłı̨chǫ Government. “We are grateful to all our partners, including the Our Land for the Future Trust, for helping catalyze these new designations, honouring self-determination, and recognizing the balance of conservation and development.”
The work supported by the trust builds on a strong foundation of Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship in the NWT, including existing conservation and management zones as well as protected areas established under Indigenous, federal, and territorial laws such as Thaidene Nëné, Edéhzhíe, and Ts'udé Nilįné Tuyeta. It also reflects the northern focus on consensus decision making and collaboration. It involves more Indigenous Governments than any similar conservation initiative in the world, and it was designed through shared decision making.
“When you work together in the right way, incredible things happen,” said Dahti Tsetso, the CEO of the OLF Trust. “All partners worked hard to build consensus and unite around supporting Indigenous leadership on the land. This spirit of collaboration enabled us to go from vision to implementation in a little over a year. Now we get to see these investments help to transform communities across the north.”
The following Partners signed the NWT: Our Land for the Future final agreement in November 2024:
Gwich'in Tribal Council; North Slave Métis Alliance; Tłįchǫ Government; Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government; Fort Good Hope Dene and Métis; Tulita Dene and Metis; Yellowknives Dene First Nation; Smith's Landing First Nation; Łútsël K'é Dene First Nation; Deninu Kue First Nation; Northwest Territory Metis Nation; Fort Resolution Métis Government; Dehcho First Nations; Tthets’éhk’edélî First Nation; Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation; Nahʔą Dehé Dene Band; Pehdzeh Ki First Nation; Sambaa K'e First Nation; Acho Dene Koe First Nation; Katłodeeche First Nation; Government of Canada; Government of the Northwest Territories; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Waltons Trust; Metcalf Foundation.
