A new Housing Working Group will be established after the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) and GNWT signed a collaborative agreement on April 23.
Building on previous negotiations between the GTC and Housing NWT, the new group will address housing-related matters for Inuvik, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson).
“Housing and infrastructure remain critical issues within the Gwich’in Settlement Area, and this collaboration is a positive step in designing housing programs and services that take into account some of our unique needs and challenges in the future,” said Gwich’in Tribal Council Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik. “As we approach a potential Gwich’in Government, opportunities to work collaboratively with the GNWT on issues such as housing will set our nation up for future success.”
The new framework will examine ways to jointly manage housing service delivery in the regions. The agreement calls on both parties to work together “in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect,” with the underlying goal of ensuring people have safes homes to live in.
“Housing NWT is focused on cultivating collaborative relationships with Indigenous governments,” said minister responsible for Housing NWT Lucy Kuptana. “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.”