The Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ Government have announced their agreement on the designated site for the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor. This 400-kilometre all-season road will link the Grays Bay Road and Port in Nunavut to the N.W.T. highway system, forming part of the nation-building projects aimed at boosting military presence and mineral exploration in Northern Canada. Additionally, the corridor will enable the construction of spur roads connecting Wekweètì and Gamètì to the main route.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ Government, in collaboration with territorial and federal authorities, signifies a significant milestone in showcasing the capabilities of Indigenous nations in leading and designing major projects, according to Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty.
Spanning approximately 30 kilometers wide and traversing the Slave Geological Province, the proposed corridor is viewed as an initial phase in the development process. Emphasizing that it is a proposed corridor and not a finalized road, Yellowknives Dene First Nation Chief Ernest Betsina and Chief Fred Sangris stressed the importance of mitigating impacts on the caribou population, whose habitat and migration routes overlap with the area.
After more than a year of collaborative efforts, the two nations agreed on the corridor following community-led studies, traditional knowledge, and Western scientific input. Premier R.J. Simpson expressed the Northwest Territories government’s support for the consensus reached by the two nations, highlighting the importance of Indigenous-led development and government-to-government partnerships for driving major opportunities.
Following completion, the corridor will serve as Canada’s inaugural land-based link to Nunavut’s Arctic coast. Subsequently, the Tłı̨chǫ Government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation will seek feedback from their members, neighboring Indigenous governments, and local communities to shape the future direction of the project.
