A collaborative agreement has been reached between Housing NWT, and the Gwich’in Tribal Council.
The official signing of the agreement took place on Tuesday, April 23rd, between Lucy Kuptana, the Minister Responsible for Housing NWT, and Gwich’in Tribal Council Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik.
This new agreement is meant to build off of previously established collaborations between the GNWT and the Tribal Council, and helps to provide a formal framework between the two government bodies. It will help to govern housing matters in Gwich’in communities such as Aklavik, Inuvik, Teetł’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) and Tsiigehtchic.
Gwich’in and Housing NWT discussions will be held through an upcoming Housing Wokshop Group, which will help find the matters that need to be placed as the highest priorities, and will help to organize new programs and deliveries.
In their statement on the matter, the Gwich’in Tribal Council expressed their eagerness to work with Housing NWT, as well as the federal government in order to improve the quality of housing in their areas.
In her own statement, Lucy Kuptana said that “using NWT is focused on cultivating collaborative relationships with Indigenous Governments. This agreement will create a roadmap for the Gwich’in Tribal Council and Housing NWT to work together on housing programs and services, allowing us to support residents in the best, most effective way we can.”
