The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation received $300,000 in Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program funding for their ISR Marine Program Coordinator project. Joint Secretariat – Inuvialuit Settlement Region also received $103,595 in funding.
Funding will support building local expertise to help Indigenous communities take a greater role in the design and implementation of aspects of the transportation system and environmental protection measures. It will also foster federal-Indigenous partnerships that will lead to more participation in the engagement of marine safety and environmental protection activities.
The Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program will be funding $5.8 million for a total of 21 Indigenous groups across the country including two in the NWT. Other places with funding include:
- British Columbia with seven;
- Quebec with five;
- Nova Scotia with two;
- Nunavut with two;
- Newfoundland and Labrador with one;
- Ontario with one; and
- One National.
NWT MP, Michael McLeod states that this funding will allow for longer-term Indigenous participation in engagement activities linked to the federal government’s Oceans Protection Plan initiatives or Canada’s marine safety system.
“Initiatives like the Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program help bring communities in the NWT together and the through Oceans Protection Plan, we will continue to encourage Indigenous participation in engagement activities.”
Minister of Transport Marc Garneau noted that this program demonstrates the Canadian government’s commitment to reconciliation and a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous communities.
“The Oceans Protection Plan funding fosters an ability for Indigenous communities to build capacity and more fully participate in the marine safety system and the marine sector. This work is being done in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples, local stakeholders and coastal communities.”
Garneau adds that the government’s $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways.
“This national plan is creating a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today while protecting our coastlines and clean water for generations to come.”
