EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is developing an Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) to enhance economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses in the NWT. This initiative is grounded in the GNWT’s commitment to reconciliation and economic inclusion, and aims to define what constitutes an NWT Indigenous business and identify mechanisms to support their participation in government procurement.

ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW

Public engagement was conducted in April and May 2025, targeting NWT businesses and business organizations. Feedback was collected through individual and public meetings, an online survey, and written submissions, with 183 individuals participating. Ongoing engagement with Indigenous governments and organizations is also informing policy development.

KEY THEMES FROM ENGAGEMENT

Definition of Indigenous Business

• Broad support exists for a definition based on NWT presence and majority Indigenous ownership, control, and economic benefit.
• Diverse views emerged on whether to include Indigenous peoples from outside the NWT who reside in the territory, however the strongest support was received for a more limited definition.
• Concerns were raised about potential misuse of the policy through “shell companies” or superficial partnerships.

Verification and Accountability

•  Strong support for a robust verification process, including proof of Indigeneity and active business involvement.
•  Suggestions included leveraging existing verification systems and involving Indigenous governments in the process.

Procurement Approaches

• Approach #1: Prioritizing local Indigenous businesses for contracts under $25,000 received broad support.
• Approach #2: A 5% bid adjustment for Indigenous businesses was generally supported, though many advocated for higher or lower adjustments or regional scaling.
• Approach #3: Targeted work packages received mixed feedback, with concerns about complexity and contractor autonomy.

General Feedback

• Emphasis on supporting NWT-based businesses and ensuring procurement benefits local communities.
• Calls for improved contractor accountability, simplified procurement processes, and better support for Indigenous business development.

CONCLUSION

The engagement revealed a wide range of perspectives and valuable insights that will inform the development of a fair, effective, and inclusive Indigenous Procurement Policy. The GNWT acknowledges the importance of continued dialogue and transparency as the policy evolves.