The Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ government have agreed on the location for the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, a 400-kilometre all-season road project connecting Grays Bay Road and Port in Nunavut with the N.W.T. highway system. This initiative is part of larger plans to enhance military presence and mineral exploration in Northern Canada, with potential spur roads linking Wekweètì and Gamètì to the main route.
Led by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ government in collaboration with territorial and federal authorities, the project showcases the capability of Indigenous nations to spearhead significant developments, as stated by Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty.
The proposed corridor, about 30 kilometres wide, traverses the Slave Geological Province, with leaders underscoring that it represents an initial phase in the project development. Emphasizing that it is a proposed corridor and not a final road, both Chief Ernest Betsina and Chief Fred Sangris highlighted the importance of minimizing impacts on the caribou population, considering the area’s significance as caribou habitat and migration routes.
After more than a year of collaborative efforts, the agreement reflects community-driven research, traditional knowledge, and scientific input from both nations. Premier R.J. Simpson expressed respect for the consensus reached by the two nations, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous-led initiatives and government partnerships for the future of the Northwest Territories.
Upon completion, the corridor will establish Canada’s first land-based connection to Nunavut’s Arctic coast. Future steps involve seeking input from members of the Tłı̨chǫ government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, neighboring Indigenous groups, and local communities to shape the project’s direction.
