A strong economy and healthy communities are created when everyone has a real and fair chance to succeed. When First Nations, Inuit and Métis are supported, they are not only developing their own skills and competencies, but also helping their communities, now and into the future.

Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced $12,847,238 in funding to Yellowknives Dene First Nation for their Dechįta Nàowo project. The project will provide training to participants to access employment in the resources and remediation industry, public sector, renewable resources, trades and media/arts sectors.

The Dechįta Nàowo project was selected after an open call for proposals was held in spring 2022 under the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF). The SPF is a project-based program that supports partnerships between Indigenous organizations and employers to provide targeted skills training for Indigenous people for in-demand jobs at the local, regional and national level.

SPF projects focus mainly on five priority sectors: green economy, information and communications technology, infrastructure, blue economy and the Indigenous public sector. The selection of these priority sectors was informed by the national engagement process that took place in advance of the launch of the 2022 call for proposals.

The SPF is one of two complementary Indigenous labour market programs delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada, the other being the distinctions-based Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program. Both programs work with Indigenous partners to ensure that First Nations, Inuit and Métis can fully contribute to and share in Canada’s economic success, which is a critical part of advancing reconciliation and self-determination.

Quote  

“When we provide Indigenous people with employment opportunities, everyone benefits—Indigenous communities, the workforce and the economy. The Skills and Partnership Fund empowers and supports Indigenous people by providing the training and resources they need to shape their own career path and to shape Canada for the better.”
– Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages

“As we strive towards reconciliation, it's crucial that we support initiatives that empower Indigenous communities and create opportunities for meaningful employment. This investment in YKDFN’s Dechįta Nàowo project through the Skills and Partnership Fund will help Indigenous people gain in-demand skills for long-term employment.” 
– Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

“Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) Dechı̨ta Nàowo Post-Secondary Education department has been delivering YKDFN developed and managed training since 2016.  This funding has allowed us to strengthen our existing programs and diversify our training streams including delivering training programs with post-secondary partners.  We are excited to see our young people access more employment options because of this training.”

– Chief Ernest Betsina, Dettah Chief, Yellowknives Dene First Nation

Quick Facts  

• According to the 2021 Census, there are 1.8 million Indigenous people in Canada, accounting for 5% of the total population.
• According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Market Survey, the employment rate of Indigenous people in January 2024 was 57.3%.
• Since 2010, the Skills and Partnership Fund has funded 130 projects serving more than 52,500 Indigenous clients, with over 19,300 of them employed and over 2,900 returning to school.
• Through the Skills and Partnership Fund, the Government is providing an ongoing investment of $50 million per year, starting in 2022–2023.
• The Skills and Partnership Fund aims to close the skills and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and to increase participation of Indigenous people in the labour market by ensuring they have improved skills and employment opportunities. This is helping to advance the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #7 and shared priority #102 of Canada’s United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan.

Associated Links

• Skills and Partnership Fund
• Engagement on the Future of the Skills and Partnership Fund - What We Learned Report
• Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan