Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty met with other Indigenous leaders and Canada’s First Ministers in Ottawa this week to discuss modern treaty implementation, northern security, and a number of other topics.
The leaders and ministers spoke about how Indigenous governments could play a greater role in shaping Canada’s economic future, while ensuring their rights, jurisdictions, and priorities remain a central fixture of federal decision-making.
“As Canada looks to strengthen its economy and northern security, we need to ensure these investments create opportunities for our youth, support our communities, and respect our right to make decisions about our lands and our future,” said Grand Chief Lafferty.
Lafferty highlighted the importance of ensuring Indigenous governments are involved from the very beginning of policy development, rather than simply being consulted on decisions that have already been made, pointing to the Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Council as an example of cooperation between governments.
The Grand Chief also spoke on the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, emphasizing that any major investments in the North will need to respect Tłı̨chǫ decision-making and create lasting benefits for Tłı̨chǫ citizens.
He also advocated for investments into Indigenous communities to be included in the upcoming federal budget and expressed support for the development of a Community Investment Strategy to identify long-term funding opportunities in housing, infrastructure, education, and public safety.
The Tłı̨chǫ Government says they remain committed to working with federal, territorial, and Indigenous governments to advance opportunities that respect Tłı̨chǫ rights, protect Tłı̨chǫ lands, and strengthen their communities.
