CanNor Strengthens Aboriginal Participation in NWT Resource Development

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Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (July 29, 2010) –Investments from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will enable Aboriginal organizations in the Northwest Territories to optimize their participation in natural resource development projects.

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). The investment of $196,000 will enhance research into Aboriginal equity participation and support Aboriginal negotiations with resource project developers.

“These investments are part of our government’s ongoing commitment to helping Northerners access important economic opportunities,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health. “Through meaningful participation in natural resource development projects, northerners will play a key role in establishing a long-term, sustainable approach to development while strengthening the local economy.”

The Tlicho Government received $150,000 to support partnership negotiations with NICO project developers. The Nahanni Butte Dene First Nation received $20,000 to develop a workplan for Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA) negotiations on the Prairie Creek Mine. The Inuvialuit Development Corporation’s Norterra Group of Companies received $26,000 to support the development of an Aboriginal Equity Participation Model.

"With the funds from CanNor we formed and trained our environmental assessment team, the K'ia Goti Working Group. Our team will now facilitate smoother permitting review and environmental assessment in the Tlicho region," said Grand Chief Joe Rabesca. "Four staff members have been trained and provided further opportunity and experience in both technical, organizational and facilitation skills, each necessary in the due process of culturally appropriate environmental assessment. The trainings  provided have improved the confidence of our team and hence provided them greater strength in achieving results in their work."

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the department for their support towards this groundbreaking research into new models to further advance goals of Inuit participation in northern resource development projects,” said Peter Tatty, Vice Chair of NorTerra.

These investments are made possible through CanNor’s Community Economic Opportunities Program (CEOP) and Community Economic Development (CEDP), part of the Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) suite of programs.

AED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor, which is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy. 

 

Backgrounder

Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan   and Canada's Northern Strategy  .

 

For further information please contact:

Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
(819) 997-0002

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Petra White
Communications Advisor
867-669-2580