There’s a growing need for more land-based programming in the territory; now many organizations will be able to fund activities thanks to support from the NWT On The Land Collaborative.
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This is the group’s second year supporting on the land projects. They’re supporting 35 projects across the territory, and fully funding most of those to the tune of $634,845 in total.
“The collaborative was brought together because there were a number of difference government institutions and different organizations, philanthropic organizations, non-profits, Indigenous governments that recognize the importance of land-based programming,” said On The Land Programs director Jess Dunkin.
The collaborative project makes it easier for projects to find funding in one spot rather than apply for small pots from different groups in hopes of receiving funds from all of them.
“There’s growing evidence, what people know anecdotally that being on the land is good for people, it’s good for families, it’s good for communities and it’s also good for the land,” Dunkin said.
“The problem was, it was difficult for individuals and organizations to access funds to get out on the land.”
This year, the collaborative is helping to fund programs like a $3,000 canoe trip for freshmen in Fort Smith and Trails on the Land, a 10-day trip out in the Delta traveling the traditional trail leading from Tuktoyaktuk.
READ: 2016 projects
In Yellowknife, $25,000 is going towards an environment home monitoring and traditional knowledge project through the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and traditional youth leadership camps sponsored by the YWCA.
This year, the average project will receive over $18,000 in funding from the collaborative.
