With the Diavik Mine expected to close in 2026, community leaders are anticipating there will be additions to recent layoffs across the diamond mining sector.
The GNWT, the Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG) and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) have launched a resource hub to help connect impacted workers with supports.
“With the Diavik Mine expected to close in 2026 and recent layoffs across the sector, the
economic impacts are being felt across the territory — and the global diamond industry as a whole. In response, the three governments are ensuring that Northerners have access to immediate supports, while also advancing long-term economic opportunities that will strengthen communities, create new jobs, and build resilience for the future,” said TG, YKDFN and the GNWT in a joint announcement issued today.
Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, of the Tłı̨chǫ Government, said many community members are being impacted by the layoffs and the goal is to provide supports to help mine workers transition to new employment and training opportunities.
Chief Ernest Betsina, of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, said leadership is taking a coordinated approach to help members adjust and prepare for the transition.
The online centralized online resource hub outlines programs from all three governments. According to the announcement issued today, the platform offers shared intake and referral pathways to improve client navigation and ensure
residents are quickly connected to the right supports.
The hub will also facilitate community drop-in events where representatives from TG, YKDFN, and GNWT will meet directly with impacted workers.
The platform aims to help workers link with job referrals, supports to connect with opportunities and provide resume/application assistance.
The partnership of the three governments is working towards building “targeted supports” for the resource sector, for Indigenous Communities, and for
Northerners affected by mine closures, including retraining initiatives, housing
investment, and infrastructure funding.
Chief Betsina said that the focus is on building stability as communities work together through a period of change.
“The closure of diamond mines is something our community is feeling directly. Many of our members have worked in this sector for years, and the impending shutdown creates real uncertainty. As leadership, we are taking a coordinated approach to address this loss for YKDFN members and businesses. Our governments are working together to provide services, training and guidance to help members adjust and prepare for the transition. Our focus is on building stability for our community and ensuring that no one is left behind as we move through this period of change.”
Grand Chief Lafferty explained that the governments of the territory are working together to create nation building projects that will transform the economy.
“For decades we have had strong and collaborative relationships with the mining sector,
and we hope to see that continue for years to come. There are great opportunities in the
NWT for further resource and economic development, and we are working together to
create nation-building projects, including the Arctic Economic Security Corridor, to
transform and expand the NWT economy. Many of our community members are being
impacted by the layoffs and our goal is to provide supports to help mine workers transition to new employment and training opportunities. Through these transitional times, we must all come together, and Tłı̨chǫ Government is committed to supporting our citizens, the sector, and economic growth in new opportunities.”
Minister Caitlin Cleveland said that the transition will be challenging, but it will open the door for new projects.
“We know the current and upcoming changes in the diamond industry are difficult for
workers, families, and communities across the Northwest Territories. The non-renewable
resource sector has been — and will remain — the backbone of our economy, providing
good jobs and supporting strong communities for decades. While this transition is
challenging, it is also a moment to build on that foundation: investing in nation-building
projects, modernizing our regulatory system to bring new projects online more efficiently, and creating space for new industries and innovations to grow. By working together with Indigenous governments and the federal government, we can support Northerners today while building a stronger, more resilient, and diversified economy that creates new opportunities for Northerners.”
 and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) have launched a resource hub to help connect impacted workers with supports.){kind=link}