The Canadian Northern Economic development agency announced a long awaited agreement between the feds and the GNWT, in “collaboration” with Indigenous governments and organizations, to targeting economic growth across the “mining landscape” of the North. The announcement comes at the heels of two more MOUs between Indigenous and territorial leaders.
The signing of the MOUs took place at a mining exploration conference in Vancouver.
Today the territorial government announced they joined with neighboring territories from Yukon to Nunavut, along with providence from B.C to Saskatchewan in a formal agreement that seeks to accelerate development, build supply-chains, diversify export markets and strengthen the country’s position as a global supplier of “responsibly sourced” critical minerals.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Sunday. According to the joint announcement, the MOU is poised to leverage their distinct regional strengths and pool infrastructure resources.
Industry Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, who was in attendance at the signing, says the diverse geology of the territory hold economic potential and also the potential of “new critical mineral discoveries.”
Shortly afterwards, the GNWT announced today that the Tłı̨chǫ Government, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the GNWT have signed an MOU, aiming to advance collaborative work in the proposed Arctic Economic and Security Corridor.
The governments are collaboratively working on governance structure and ownership models to in anticipation of northern development.
Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty of the Tłı̨chǫ Government referred to the corridor is a “once-in-a-lifetime nation-building opportunity” with potential to bring lasting benefits for communities.
Yellowknives Dene First Nation Chief Ernest Betsina agreed that the corridor has potential to strengthen not only the North but the country as a whole.
The GNWT says the MOU recognizes Indigenous leadership as central to the future of the Arctic corridor
Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earths, which the territory is rich with, are currently in demand across global markets.
These minerals are being sought for clean energy production, advanced technology uses and defence applications.
Back in March Premier Simpson pointed to “nation-building projects” like the Arctic Economic Security Corridor as “essential” to economic growth, energy security and strengthening the connectivity of the North with surrounding regions.
“Advancing the Slave Geological Province Corridor—linking to the Arctic Security Corridor (Grays Bay Road and Port project)—presents a strategic opportunity to integrate the Arctic into the North American road network, strengthen supply chains, and expand access to global markets in partnership with Indigenous governments in the NWT,” he said.
With the U.S. government’s application of hefty tariffs on trade to the south, with the Gray’s Bay Road and Port project underway, the federal government has begun to expand and diversify trade and economic growth in the North. The project is considered among the top ten nation building projects and has been prioritized in the federal budget.
So far the federal government has remained tight lipped on proposed development in the North, even amid the U.S. President’s recent talk of annexing Canada and Greenland. It is unclear how much funding the federal government plans to invest and how it will be used.
In November, Indigenous leaders including Grand Chief Lafferty and Chief Betsina expressed frustration in waiting for the federal leadership to come to the table, as Indigenous ways of doing government involve extensive community engagement and take time. Something that leaders worry Bill C-5 could threaten.
While many leaders across the North support the corridor development there has also been pushback. Some area leaders including Indigenous leaders are questioning how and who the corridor will benefit. They want to see measures in place and close engagement happening now regarding how development will affect Indigenous ways of life, culture, traditions and wellbeing.
This afternoon, the Canadian Northern Economic development agency made an announcement that the feds and the GNWT, are working in “collaboration” with Indigenous governments and organizations, to advance economic growth in the “mining landscape.”
Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and Industry Minister Caitlin Cleveland announced an MOU between CanNor and the GNWT.
The MOU is focussed on supporting economic development and diversification, to advance critical minerals and major infrastructure projects.
“Under the MOU, both governments will align efforts to support resource development and infrastructure, explore opportunities for more efficient pre-regulatory assistance and coordination for projects, and convene a first-of-its-kind “Northern Indigenous Governments and Development Corporations Project Funding Symposium”. Implementation plans and further activities will be identified as the partnership progresses,” read a message issued by the federal agency.
According to the announcement, the agreement sets a formal partnership in place between the federal development agency and the GNWT.
“By aligning efforts between both governments, the agreement will enable more effective engagement and collaboration with Indigenous governments and organizations, supporting a stronger Northwest Territories economy.”
