The Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ government have jointly agreed on the designated site for the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor. This 400-kilometer all-season road will link the Grays Bay Road and Port in Nunavut with the N.W.T. highway system, forming part of the nation-building projects aimed at enhancing military presence and mineral exploration in Northern Canada. Additionally, there are plans for spur roads connecting Wekweètì and Gamètì to the main route.
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ government are spearheading this project in collaboration with territorial and federal authorities. Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty expressed enthusiasm about Indigenous nations taking the lead in major project development, emphasizing the significance of showcasing such capabilities to Canada.
The proposed corridor, around 30 kilometers wide, traverses the Slave Geological Province. Leaders underscored that this corridor represents a preliminary phase in the project’s progression. Acknowledging the corridor’s potential impact on caribou habitat and migration routes, both nations highlighted their efforts to minimize such effects.
After more than a year of deliberations, the two nations reached a consensus through community-led studies, traditional knowledge, and Western science. Premier R.J. Simpson affirmed the Northwest Territories government’s support for the agreement, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous-led development and collaborative partnerships for future advancements in the region.
Upon completion, the corridor will establish Canada’s inaugural land-based connection to Nunavut’s Arctic coast. The Tłı̨chǫ government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation will seek input from their members, neighboring Indigenous groups, and local communities to shape the project’s direction moving forward.