On November 14, 2024, a historic agreement was signed in Behchokǫ̀, NWT to fund Indigenous-led conservation initiatives across the Northwest Territories. This landmark initiative, called NWT: Our Land for the Future, involves unprecedented collaboration between 22 Indigenous governments, the Government of Canada, the Government of Northwest Territories, and private donors. The agreement secures $375 million over the next 10 years to fund Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and economic development initiatives, delivering significant benefits for people, lands, and waters.
Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, Tłı̨chǫ Government speaking at the signing ceremony for NWT: Our Land for the Future. Photo: Cody Steven Mantla
Dahti Tsetso, Deputy Director, Indigenous Leadership Initiative. Photo: Cody Steven Mantla
The initiative is designed around a conservation financing model known as Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), which brings governments and the philanthropic community together to provide funding for long-term protection and stewardship of lands and waters. The Indigenous Leadership Initiative played a pivotal role in convening the partners and facilitating the process around the co-development of NWT: Our Land for the Future, ensuring Indigenous voices and priorities remained central to the process.
Indigenous leadership is at the heart of this agreement. By investing in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship, the initiative seeks to create employment opportunities, support local economies, and strengthen community health and well-being. With a goal of protecting approximately 38 million hectares over the next decade, NWT: Our Land for the Future is set to become one of the largest Indigenous-led conservation efforts in the world.
Tom Dillon, Senior Vice President Environment and Crosscutting Initiatives, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Sandy Houston, Board Chair, Metcalf Foundation, and Christy Moorhead, Executive Director, The Waltons Trust. Photo: Cody Steven Mantla
We are proud to support this groundbreaking initiative and honoured to have our Board Chair, Sandy Houston, present in Behchokǫ̀ to sign the agreement. NWT: Our Land for the Future is an enormous step forward for conservation in Canada and stands as a global model for collaborative conservation efforts. We are committed to continuing our support for Indigenous-led conservation, recognizing the critical role of Indigenous leadership in paving the way for community economic development and the protection of vital lands and waters for generations to come.