New GNWT Indigenous Employment Policy set to come into effect April 1 – NNSL Media
March 12, 2025
Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek says NWT Indigenous people will still get first priority under new framework
It’s official – the GNWT will be replacing its current affirmative action hiring policy on March 31 with the new Indigenous Employment Policy on April 1. It’s a move that has been met with serious contention from both MLAs and Indigenous governments.
Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek spoke about the policy at a public hearing at the legislative assembly on Tuesday morning and said the new policy follows a two-tiered system: first and second priorities for hires.
She explained first priorities are for people who are recognized members and descendants of First Nations, Metis or Inuit peoples indigenous to the boundaries of the NWT, while second priority people include those who are members and descendants of all those same groups, only to areas outside the NWT but within Canada.
