Our new NWT On The Land Collaborative Fund is now open for applications from communities and organizations in the Northwest Territories (NWT) with great ideas for on the land programming.
Governments (federal, territorial, and indigenous), major industrial corporations, and philanthropic organizations in the Northwest Territories all place significant emphasis as funders on supporting on the land programming, particularly with indigenous organizations and communities. These various sectors fund on the land programming for a variety of reasons, including:
- outdoor experiential education;
- cultural revitalization;
- arts;
- restorative justice;
- traditional economy;
- mental health and addictions, family wellness, and healing;
- youth engagement and capacity building; and
- environmental research, monitoring, and stewardship.
It is becoming increasingly clear that, whatever the reason for supporting on the land programming, outcomes across the economic, social, cultural, and environmental spectrum are intertwined and interdependent.
The On The Land collaborative was created to promote and support on the land initiatives in the NWT by providing easier access to funding and other resources. There is a lot of interest in on the land programs, but finding the money to run these programs can be a lot of work for communities and organizations that have to apply to many different places to get the funding and support they need.
Funder collaboratives allow different parties to pool their resources and share information—creating better outcomes, efficiencies, and more opportunities for shared learning. Tides Canada has successfully led funder collaboratives in other regions across the country and we are proud to be the home for this new initiative.
On The Land Collaborative Fund is made up of partners including the Government of the Northwest Territories, J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, PEW Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Dominion Diamond Ekati Corporation, TNC Canada, and Community Advisors from across the NWT. Projects being funded by the collaborative are also considered partners, and the model is based in mutual respect and trusting relationships.
Applications for funding and other resources including tools and equipment are being accepted until January 31, 2016. Application forms and details available online: www.nwtontheland.ca.
