Partnership Background
The City of Yellowknife is located in Chief Drygeese territory, within the traditional lands of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation is located 3.5km Northeast from the city center of Yellowknife. The communities share borders with each other.
Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the City of Yellowknife participated in the 2-year Accelerated Participation Stream 2019-2021 of the CEDI program during Phase II, Cycle III.
Key Milestones and Collaborative Community Economic Development Initiatives
MOU
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) and the City of Yellowknife strengthened their government-to-government relationship by renewing and refining their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), creating a formal foundation for long-term collaboration. Following CEDI Workshop 1, both parties recognized the need to update the MOU to reflect shared priorities in economic development, reconciliation, and partnership. In 2019, the Working Group collaboratively revised the agreement to emphasize mutual respect, shared decision-making, and cooperation. The renewed MOU guided joint initiatives, most notably the development of the Joint Economic Development Strategy (JEDS).
Joint Economic Development Strategy (JEDS)
The Joint Economic Development Strategy (JEDS) was a central initiative for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the City of Yellowknife partnership. The partners identified the development of a joint strategy as their top priority for advancing shared economic development opportunities. With successful joint application for CanNor funding of $150,000, the partnership jointly developed a Terms of Reference and Request for Proposal and selected MDB Insights and Dillon Consulting to co-develop the JEDS. Throughout the process, the Working Group maintained regular meetings and engaged in collaborative planning, adapting consultation methods to virtual formats during COVID-19.
The engagement process included stakeholder interviews, business surveys, targeted workshops, and community engagement sessions in Ndilo, Dettah, and Yellowknife. During CEDI Workshop #3 in September 2020, elected officials and staff reviewed preliminary findings, developed shared vision statements, and identified priority economic opportunities using jointly developed criteria. These discussions informed the final JEDS, which identified three strategic directions: Local Business and Entrepreneurship Support, Workforce Development, and Tourism. Each direction included action items and implementation considerations designed to support shared prosperity and sustainable growth across the three communities.
Both councils tentatively approved the JEDS in early 2021 and established a Joint Economic Development Strategy Committee to guide implementation. The committee developed a Terms of Reference, prioritized actions using a scoring matrix, and began developing an implementation plan. To support ongoing collaboration, a Partnership Coordinator role was also established, ensuring continuity and sustained momentum beyond the CEDI program.
CEDI Workshop #4 and Graduation Ceremony
In April 2021, partners gathered in person for CEDI Workshop #4 and the program graduation ceremony. Participants reflected on accomplishments, reviewed the JEDS, and discussed next steps for sustaining collaboration. The ceremony included remarks from CEDI leadership and regional representatives, presentation of completion certificates to Chief Betsina and Mayor Alty, and a drum dance led by YKDFN drummers. The graduation marked both the conclusion of the CEDI program and the beginning of implementation, with partners reaffirming their commitment to long-term collaboration and shared economic development.
In the Media
Quotes
“Working together with the City of Yellowknife on this joint economic strategy will bring economic prosperity for all our peoples and the region. We thank Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for having chosen our communities for this important initiative.”
“This initiative between the City of Yellowknife and our First Nation is a true example of economic reconciliation in action, as we seek to develop and implement a joint community economic development strategy for today and that future. We look forward to continuing our efforts building a strong relationship and partnership with the City of Yellowknife through this CEDI initiative.”
“We are fortunate to work, live and play in Chief Drygeese Territory, and working with the YKDFN on this strategy will continue to strengthen the relationship between both our communities and advance the economic development of our entire region.”