Dene Nation says federal money for housing, infrastructure should go directly to communities
Dene Nation says federal money for housing, infrastructure should go directly to communities
The Dene Nation is calling for direct access to housing and infrastructure funding from Ottawa, rather than having to go through the N.W.T. government.
In a news release this month, the Dene Nation says the territorial government cannot “position itself as a middleman” when it comes to federal funding.
It follows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comments in Yellowknife earlier about working with the territorial government to build more housing.
“We want to make sure that Carney is corrected,” Dene National Chief George Mackenzie told CBC News. “The money should go to the communities where it belongs.”
Carney had told reporters on Mar. 12 that his government is making “major investments in housing in the Arctic.”
“Here in the Northwest Territories we are working with the territorial government on that,” Carney said.
The Dene Nation says that housing and infrastructure funding should be given directly to Indigenous communities so they can decide how best to use it.
“This is not just a financial issue—it’s a critical matter of respecting our Treaty rights. Our communities possess the knowledge and insights necessary to address their unique housing needs, and it is imperative that they gain direct access to the funds allocated for their support,” the news release reads.
Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon said he supports the Dene Nation’s statement requesting independent housing and infrastructure funding from Ottawa.
Edjericon said applying for territorial funding to repair homes can be difficult. He added that residents and community members who wish to apply for housing programs must submit an application to the specific program and ensure it precisely meets territorial requirements otherwise they are “out of luck.”
Edjericon and Mackenzie said that the territorial government denied a Dene Nation request for $700,000 in funding to develop a community-based action plan to address the housing crisis.
Mackenzie said it was “very disappointing” that funding was denied.
In an email to CBC News, an N.W.T. government spokesperson said the request was denied because of limited resources and to “ensure a fair and consistent approach” across communities and partners.
“Our approach is to prioritize funding toward projects and partners that are directly delivering housing in communities and increasing capacity on the ground,” the spokesperson wrote.
According to Mackenzie, the territorial government has had a lot of time to try and fix the territory’s housing crisis but the issues remain. He points to reports from the auditor general that found the territorial government has failed to provide residents most in need of shelter with adequate and equitable access to public housing.
“There’s about three auditor general reports done on territorial governments. All three have [given] a failing grade, so they [Housing N.W.T.] still want to do or run the housing,” Mackenzie said.
Housing N.W.T has said it is implementing the auditor general’s recommendations from the 2025 report.
Federal streams
In an email, Eric Head, spokesperson for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, said his department’s officials in the territory have not received a formal proposal from the Dene Nation about a new funding arrangement.
Head added that Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations have access to funding through a range of federal initiatives.
One such initiative is the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s Reaching Home Strategy, which is intended to address the “specific and unique needs” of Indigenous individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Head wrote that Dene Nation has entered into a funding agreement with Canada under that program.
“Through this agreement, the Dene Nation distributes funding to non-self-governing First Nations in the N.W.T. through sub-agreements that support service delivery,” he said.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Auditor general gives Housing N.W.T. a bad grade, again, CBC News
Greenland: Despite housing shortages, Greenland razes colonial apartment blocks, Blog by Mia Bennett
Sweden: Arctic Municipality in Sweden ups recruitment perks with housing, ski passes, bonuses, Radio Sweden
United States: Greenland ‘Freedom City?’ Rich donors push Trump for a tech hub up north, Reuters
