Backgrounder - Northwest Territories Culture and Tourism Projects

The Government of Canada has approved $788,000 in funding for two First Nations to carry out projects that will help create local jobs, open up opportunities to attract more tourists to the Northwest Territories and make community improvements.

Tulita Dene Band Council - Canol Trail Wire Removal

The Tulita Dene Band Council, working in cooperation with the Norman Wells Land Corporation, will receive $488,000 to remove miles of abandoned communications wire used during the original construction of the Canol Trail in the 1940's. Clearing the wire will remove a significant safety hazard to all trail users. Project crews will start clearing wire at mile 230 near the Yukon border and end at mile 170 near Godlin Lake.

Short-term benefits of the project include immediate and local job creation and improved community access to the trail for recreation. Longer-term benefits include enhanced safety for people and wildlife using the trail and expanded opportunities for the development of eco-tourism in the area.

Although the site is remote, the area is well used by Sahtu residents for hunting, trapping, and recreation. There are two lodges along the trail that provide guided outfitting, hunting and naturalist excursions. The natural beauty of the area also attracts outdoor enthusiasts looking for rugged wilderness challenges, including hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and ATV-ing. Moose, caribou and other wildlife also frequent the trail for feeding and travelling.

The Canol Trail originated as a service road for a pipeline built between 1942 and 1943 to bring crude oil from Norman Wells over the Mackenzie Mountains to the Alaska Highway in Yukon. The Canol Trail now sits on Crown land that has been identified as a ‘contaminated site’ and is currently undergoing a federal assessment to prepare it for remediation. Once the remediation is complete, the land will be transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories for use as a heritage park. Although the wire does not meet the definitions of a ‘contaminant’, its removal complements the reclamation efforts and supports community land use goals.

Katlodeeche First Nation - Community Improvement and Beautification

The Katlodeeche First Nation (KFN) will receive $300,000 to carry out four projects that will support the health, safety and economic diversity of the community.

Community Landscaping and Beautification: This project will improve the visual appeal around public buildings with landscaping, walkways and greenery. The improvements will help the KFN showcase the Reserve for tourists and potential business partners.

Community Garden: This project will create a two-acre community garden. The garden will enhance the overall health and well-being of local residents by providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and improving access to low-cost, nutritional foods. There will also be opportunities for local gardeners to generate a modest income by selling their produce locally.

Wildfire Suppression and Prevention: The Wildfire Suppression and Prevention project is intended to protect the forest and community economic assets through activities such as: construction and maintenance of fire access roads, water holes and fire breaks; upgrades to fire towers; repairs to fire trucks and other fire-fighting apparatus; and, intensive forest fire prevention activities, including brush cutting and tree removal.

Interpretive Nature Trail: This project will entail the construction of an easily accessible seven-kilometre long interpretive nature trail. The pathway will be designed to make it accessible for visitors of all ages in all seasons, and will allow both tourists and residents to explore and enjoy the area.

Community Adjustment Fund (CAF)

Funding for these projects is being provided as a part of Canada's Economic Action Plan  through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), a two-year $1 billion initiative whose objectives are to provide economic stimulus to create or maintain jobs in and around communities affected by the global recession, and to promote economic diversification in those communities. Long-term economic and environmental benefits are also funding considerations. The CAF is one of a suite of programs administered under the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.