Share Your Questions and Comments on the Draft UN Declaration Action Plan

Harvesting Cabins Tenure 

The GNWT will in collaboration with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, through the appropriate intergovernmental forum(s), which may include the APC, NWTCOL working groups or other tables to develop and implement new approaches to the management and administration of traditional camps and cabins on public land.

Target: Work is underway to engage Indigenous governments on a government-to-government basis to co-design approaches to the management and administration of traditional camps and cabins

The GNWT will support all interested Indigenous governments to complete necessary preparatory work, including documenting existing cabin locations, with funding available immediately. 

Due to GNWT capacity constraints, government-to-government negotiations to co-design management approaches will advance sequentially with one to two Indigenous governments at a time. Initial engagement with the first Indigenous government partner will commence in 2025-26, with a co-designed approach targeted for completion by October 2027. The APC will receive periodic updates on sequencing, engagement, and progress toward completion of the co-designed approaches.

Cabin Tax Policy

The GNWT is currently engaged in internal, cross-departmental work regarding the application of the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, and the GNWT anticipates that this review will take some time to complete. 
When the review is completed, the GNWT will provide more information to Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and the APC will provide direction for GNWT consideration on alignment with the UN Declaration.

Target: Internal work is ongoing and when it is completed more information will be provided, including further engagement with Indigenous Governments and Organizations on next steps.

Preventive Action to Protect Water Quality

Consistent with the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol, the GNWT will address identified priorities of Indigenous Governments and Organizations when reviewing and, where applicable, revising their laws, regulations, and policies related to land and natural resources. 

Target: Work is underway through IGCS with legislative review priorities and timelines confirmed through the IGCS annual report. The APC will receive updates on this work and may provide input on water-quality-related priorities relevant to Action Plan implementation.

Municipal Planning Reform

Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) will work with community governments to strengthen engagement with Indigenous Governments when developing community plans. MACA will continue to undertake section 35 consultation throughout the community planning process to ensure Indigenous Governments have input into the process.

To strengthen this collaboration, a Community Development Framework and guides have been developed and will continue to be enhanced to support and guide community land-use planning. These guides are intended to provide clarity and direction for what considerations should be considered and integrated when a community land use plan is developed, including Indigenous Government engagement and consultation. MACA will continue to update and add guides that promote best practices in land management and administration activities that are inclusive of all community stakeholders and are in alignment with UN Declaration. 

To support integrated land-use planning and respect for Indigenous rights and interests in community development, GNWT will reform legislation, policies and procedures with municipalities to ensure there is collaboration and coordination with Indigenous Governments. This will include building realistic resource forecasts in municipal planning, including assessments for solid waste, sewerage, and power generation.

Target: Community Planning Framework and associated guides were released in 2025. MACA intends to complete two more guides: Land Development and Capital Planning and Planning in Flood Risk Areas in 2026 and will update all the guides as needed to ensure the Framework continues to incorporate best planning practices.

Reform Water Regulations

The GNWT to cooperatively develop, with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, through the Intergovernmental Agreement protocol, a legislative initiative to improve the regulation of waters in the NWT to ensure the water management regime is clear, accessible, and aligned with UNDRIP and consistent with modern treaties. 

Target:  Work is underway through IGCS, with targeted amendments following the Intergovernmental Development protocol to the waters regulations by 2027. 
The APC will receive updates on engagement, progress, and development of the proposed reforms under this action item, and will have the opportunity to provide input on UNDRIP alignment before the action item is treated as complete.

Bring the Public Land Act into Force

The GNWT, in collaboration and cooperation with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, through the Intergovernmental Agreement Protocol, will facilitate the completion of regulations and policies, co-developed under the Intergovernmental Agreement Protocol, required to bring the Act into force.  

Target: Work to finalize the Public Land Act Regulations to bring the Act into force is being conducted through the IGCS under the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol. While timelines are dependent on that process, the work is expected to be completed by the end of the 20th Legislative Assembly.

The APC will receive updates on engagement, progress, and development of the proposed reforms under this action item, and will have the opportunity to provide input on UNDRIP alignment before the action item is treated as complete.

Building on the Co-developed Forest Act

The GNWT in collaboration and cooperation with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, through the Intergovernmental Agreement protocol, to initiate the co-development of regulations and policies required to bring the Forest Act into force, consistent with the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol. This initiative will ensure government-to-government processes are applied in the development of regional forest management plans. 
Target: Intergovernmental Council has committed to working on the regulations. Work is underway through IGCS, and timelines are dependent on that process, and is planned to be advanced within the life of the 20th Legislative Assembly. 
The APC will receive updates on engagement, progress, and development of the proposed reforms under this action item, and will have the opportunity to provide input on UNDRIP alignment before the action item is treated as complete.

Reform the Disposal of Improved Real Property Policy to Recognize Indigenous Governments and Organizations as a Priority Interest Group
The GNWT, in collaboration and cooperation with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, including through the APC or other intergovernmental forums as appropriate, will review and modernize the Disposal of Improved Real Property Policy (DIRPP) to designate Indigenous Governments and Organizations as a “priority interest group” when disposing of surplus real property. The review and modernization of the policy includes: 

1. Engagement with Indigenous Governments and Organizations in Spring 2026 to seek feedback on proposed/additional revisions to the DIRPP;
2. Sharing a summary of all feedback received from engagement participants prior to finalizing the policy and seeking Cabinet approval; and
3. Designating Indigenous Governments and Organizations as a priority interest group in the GNWT’s revised DIRPP, allowing for the inclusion in the disposal process prior to seeking proposals from non-profits and the general public.

Target: Review and modernize DIRPP by September 2026.