NWT: Our Land for the Future is one of the world's largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives. With a focus on environmental protection, cultural revitalization, and sustainable economic development, the initiative will support long-term stewardship of the Northwest Territories' land and water. It brings together 21 Indigenous governments and organizations in the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and private donors in a collaborative approach.
Our Land for the Future is a Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative, with federal support first announced at COP15 in December 2022. Project Finance for Permanence initiatives unite governments and private donors to create large-scale, lasting investments that protect ecosystems, sustain local economies, and advance Indigenous leadership. By taking a big-picture approach, Project Finance for Permanence initiatives deliver broad, lasting benefits for both people and the land.
The Government of Canada is investing $300 million, with private donors contributing an additional $75 million. Donors have committed to match $1 for every $4 of federal investment. This represents the largest single investment in a Project Finance for Permanence initiative in Canada to date.
The $375 million is being managed through the Our Land for the Future Trust. Indigenous government-appointed directors will make the key decisions about how funds are disbursed each year, guided by an annual operating plan approved by all partners. These funds will support the protection of vast, ecologically significant areas in the Northwest Territories; strengthen Indigenous leadership; and help build a resilient, Northern economy.
This initiative will help diversify the Northern economy. It will bring millions of dollars into the territory and create hundreds of culturally meaningful jobs. This will mean many jobs in more communities, not just concentrated in Yellowknife.
Indigenous governments and partners to the Our Land for the Future agreement are the sole beneficiaries of the Trust and will aim to conserve and steward up to 380,000 square kilometres of land and inland water. This includes protecting over 2% of Canada in new terrestrial and freshwater areas, representing a space almost seven times the size of Nova Scotia and contributing significantly to the national goal of conserving 30% of land and water by 2030.
Key activities and initiatives that could receive funding include:
Indigenous Guardians
- Support for Indigenous Guardians initiatives to monitor land, water, and wildlife health; safeguard cultural sites; and contribute to environmental stewardship.
Climate action and resilience
- Climate-related research-such as impact assessments, adaptation planning, and mitigation strategies-to address challenges like wildfires and water scarcity.
Sustainable economic development
- Advance conservation-based economies, including ecotourism, traditional harvesting, artisanal enterprises, and land-based cultural programs.
- Create hundreds of culturally meaningful jobs annually across Northwest Territories' communities.
Partners of NWT: Our Land for the Future
- Gwich'in Tribal Council
- North Slave Métis Alliance
- Tłı̨chǫ Government
- Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government
- Fort Good Hope Dene and Métis
- Tulita Dene and Métis
- Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Dettah
- Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Ndilo
- Smith's Landing First Nation
- Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation
- Deninu K'ue First Nation
- Northwest Territory Métis Nation
- Fort Resolution Métis Government
- Dehcho First Nations
- Tthets'éhk'edélî First Nation
- Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation
- Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band
- Pehdzeh Ki First Nation
- Sambaa K'e First Nation
- Acho Dene Koe First Nation
- Kátł'odeeche First Nation
- Government of Canada
- Government of the Northwest Territories
- The Pew Charitable Trusts
- The Waltons Trust
- Metcalf Foundation
