Caroline Wawzonek: Collaboration with Indigenous Governments

Press Release

March 11, 2025

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Mr. Speaker, today I want to describe how key infrastructure projects are helping support our government’s commitment to building strong relationships with Indigenous governments.

A key example of this collaboration is the Taltson Hydro Expansion. This project is being advanced though a Memorandum of Understanding agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories NWT and Indigenous governments with traditional territory in the Taltson Watershed namely the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, the Akaitcho Dene First Nations, and Salt River First Nation. Regular meetings at the leadership level have become more frequent over the last 12 months creating strong momentum as we work together to address legacy issues, advance commercial agreements, and prepare an environmental regulatory application. I hope in the coming year to have a plan to more forward on legacy issues, have a preliminary commercial structure in sight and a timeline for the environmental review process. Together we can connect 70 percent of the Northwest Territories population and bring access to hydro power to our most promising mineral resource region.

Another major project that depends on strong collaboration is the Mackenzie Valley Highway. We have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sahtú Secretariat Incorporated to facilitate collaboration during the Environmental Assessment and we are working together to update the business case for the project so that we are ready to seek investment upon completion of the Environmental Assessment.

We are also working closely with the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation to address concerns raised about the alignment in the Dehcho between Wrigley and the Sahtu Dene and Métis Settlement Agreement boundary. The Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to have provided funding to Pehdzeh Ki First Nation to conduct alignment work and Indigenous Knowledge studies, and we remain committed to reviewing and discussing their findings. Feedback from local communities has already led to optimizations and changes, including adjustments near Bear Rock and Big Smith Creek, based on input from community organizations in Tulita. Our projects are informed by both Indigenous Knowledge and western science studies of water, wildlife, habitat, socio-economic and climate change impacts are stronger for it.

Mr. Speaker, the need for the Mackenzie Valley Highway has never been more evident, as this critical infrastructure will provide much needed resilience for annual community resupply operations in the Sahtú and serve as a unique access corridor into the heart of Canada’s western arctic.

Mr. Speaker, these are not the only projects built through partnership. The Dehk’è Frank Channel Bridge replacement is another example, with ongoing work alongside the Tłı̨chǫ Government. Two public engagement sessions for the Dehk’è Frank Channel Bridge replacement took place in Behchokǫ̀ a month ago and we received valuable input that is currently helping us shape next steps. In addition, we have begun to re-engage regional Indigenous governments about routing for the Slave Geologic Province corridor and an access point into the eastern arctic.

By working together, we can address shared priorities more swiftly, identify more investment opportunities and create more opportunities for the North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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