NWT On The Land Collaborative Hands Out One Million Dollars in Grants for the Third Year in a Row

Canoes resting on the shore during Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation's Tathlina Lake Canoe Trip, a NWT On The Land Collaborative grant recipient

(For Immediate Release)
 
NWT – November 18, 2020
 
For the third year in a row, the NWT On The Land Collaborative distributed one million dollars in grants to 55 projects across the territory that connect NWT residents with land, culture, and community.
 
“I’ve been super happy to have people in communities tell me that the Collaborative has one of the best proposal processes in the NWT. A key objective of the Collaborative was to make on the land funding accessible, with as little red tape as possible, and I am proud to say I think we have accomplished this,” says MakeWay representative Steve Ellis, who is also one of the founding members of the Collaborative.
 
The outcomes of on the land programming are as numerous as they are varied, but one thing is certain: they support the health and wellbeing of communities, families, and individuals, and are vital to healthy ecosystems and economies in the North. Over the past five years, the Collaborative has distributed more than four million dollars to 243 projects in every region of the NWT.
 
“Northern Youth Leadership believes strongly in the power of land-based programming. Each year, we support youth to take on the challenge of their first canoe trip, hiking trip, or camping trip and see them build confidence, connections, and independence in the process. The continued support of the On the Land Collaborative is instrumental to our programming. We are so thankful to be able to work with a funder (the Collaborative) that understands both the challenges and the rewards of on the land programming,” says Emily Smith, Program Coordinator for Northern Youth Leadership, a territorial non-profit that brings youth together for land-based programming and NWT On The Land Collaborative grant recipient.
 
2020 grants range between $2,500 and $60,000. The recipients are primarily Indigenous governments, schools, and non-governmental organizations. Small grant recipients include students gathering traditional medicines with Elders hosted by Chief Albert Wright School in Tulít’a, and the rabbit snaring program for children at Setsi’e Frederick Daycare in Hay River. Medium-sized grants will allow Nihtat Gwich’in Council to continue their intergenerational revitalizing traditional skills project, and make it possible for Chief Jimmy Bruno School in Behchokǫ̀ to organize two rites of passage camps. Large grants have been awarded to the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation for a regional on the land literacy camp, and to support Dehcho First Nation’s Yundaa Gogha youth canoe trip. In addition to financial support, funded projects may also receive equipment, training, and program support.

Quick Facts
 

• The NWT On The Land Collaborative was founded in 2015.

 

• The Collaborative is a collective of diverse organizations that supports land-based programs through funds, resources, and expertise. Current funding partners include the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Departments of Health and Social Services (HSS),  Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), Education, Culture, and Employement (ECE), and Industry, Tourism, and Investment (ITI); MakeWay; NWT Recreation and Parks Association; Dominion Diamond Mines; Nature United; McConnell Foundation; Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine; The Gordon Foundation; Royal Bank of Canada; and Full Circle Fund. Participating Indigenous governments include Inuvialuit Regional Corporation; Gwich’in Tribal Council; Tłı̨chǫ Government; Dehcho First Nations; NWT Métis Nation; Akaitcho Territory Government; and Sahtú Secretariat Inc.

 

• The Collaborative supports projects that: get people out on the land; connect community members to their land, culture, and traditions; build or strengthen partnerships; enhance community capacity; and promote sustainability.

 

• Our 2020 annual report is available here.

 
 
Media Contact
Steve Ellis
Program Lead, Northern Canada
MakeWay
Email: steve.ellis@makeway.org
Phone: 867.988.1963
 
Rachel Cluderay
On the Land Programs Consultant
NWT Recreation and Parks Association
Email: rcluderay@nwtrpa.org
Phone: 867.669.8392