The federal government is disbursing $15 million to NWT Indigenous governments and organizations affected by the devastating wildfires last summer.
MP Michael McLeod announced the aid package in Yellowknife on March 26.
The funding, which is in addition to contributions from other federal departments, aims to reimburse Indigenous organizations for expenses incurred during the wildfires, ensure their continued operation and provide support to community members.
Speaking on behalf of Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, McLeod said a base amount of up to $100,000 has already been transferred to eligible groups, with additional funds allocated based on specific needs and impacts identified by each organization.
He acknowledged that the summer of 2023 constituted the worst wildfire season in recorded history in the NWT, with 12 communities under evacuation orders and 70 per-cent of the population displaced. The recovery process is ongoing, with many communities still rebuilding infrastructure and local businesses grappling with the aftermath.
The NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 federal representative in Parliament recognized the importance of supporting emergency management capabilities in Arctic and Northern communities, and highlighted the need for resources and authorities to be in place for Indigenous communities before climate-driven disasters like wildfires occur again.
McLeod said Vandal, along with Indigenous partners, territories, and other federal agencies, is set to develop long-term strategies to address the gaps in culturally appropriate emergency management services in the North. The focus is on listening, learning and reducing the risk of future wildfires to improve collective response and support during extreme emergencies.
The money from Ottawa is part of an ongoing effort to support Indigenous governments, which have been instrumental in providing various forms of aid to their members, from residential support to food and repatriation during last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 wildfires.
A total of 11 Indigenous government and organizations have received up to $100,000. They are:
-Inuvialuit Regional Corporation SA国际影视传媒� $36,647
-The T艂egohli GotSA国际影视传媒檌ne Government (Norman Wells) SA国际影视传媒� $90,000
-Fort Norman M茅tis SA国际影视传媒� $50,660
-Pedzeh Ki First Nation (Wrigley) SA国际影视传媒� $99,920.00
-Nahanni Butte First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $100,000
-Deh Gah Gotie Dene Council (Fort Providence) SA国际影视传媒� $100,000
-Sambaa KSA国际影视传媒檈 First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $100,000.00
-Deninu Kue First Nation (Fort Resolution) SA国际影视传媒� $99,068
-Acho Dene Koe First Nation (Fort Liard) SA国际影视传媒� $100,000
-Hay River and Area M茅tis Local 51 SA国际影视传媒� $100,000
-Hay River M茅tis Council SA国际影视传媒� $98,137
-Fort Good Hope First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $1,527,062
-Deline GotSA国际影视传媒檌ne Government SA国际影视传媒� $1,229,518
-Tlicho Government SA国际影视传媒� $5,317,330
-Dehcho First Nations SA国际影视传媒� $181,400
-Jean Marie River First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $233,433
-West Point First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $285,220
-Yellowknives Dene First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $1,046,552
-Lutsel KSA国际影视传媒檈 Dene First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $548,380
-Salt River First Nation SA国际影视传媒� $1,364,483
-Northwest Territory M茅tis Nation SA国际影视传媒� $384,691
-Fort Smith M茅tis Local SA国际影视传媒� $274,890
-North Slave M茅tis Alliance SA国际影视传媒� $259,127
-Yamoga Land Corporation SA国际影视传媒� $160,945
-Dene Nation SA国际影视传媒� $101,950
-GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Tribal Council SA国际影视传媒� $283,000
-Tulita Dene Band SA国际影视传媒� $827,587
