Government of the Northwest Territories

Diversity and Inclusion

Indigenous Employment

What is the GNWT's Indigenous Employment Policy?

The GNWT is committed to a competent Public Service that is representative of the people it serves. To achieve this, the GNWT has established the Indigenous Employment Policy that offers priority hiring to Indigenous people. The merit principle applies among designated groups. 

What are the designated groups under the Indigenous Employment Policy?

Designated groups under the Indigenous Employment Policy include:

  • Stage One Priority (S1P) – Indigenous peoples who are recognized members and descendent of a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit people indigenous to the present boundaries of the Northwest Territories
  • Stage Two Priority (S2P) – Indigenous peoples who are recognized members and descendent of a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit people indigenous to areas of Canada, outside of the present boundaries of the Northwest Territories

Will I need to identify myself or verify that I belong to a designated group within the hiring process?

Yes. Individuals who wish to be afforded priority status under the Indigenous Employment Policy must provide documentation that sets out the individual’s Indigenous status for review and verification if that verification is not already on file from a previous application 

Note: We recognize that assessing Indigenous ancestry and verifying Indigeneity will always be connected to colonialism and can be a potentially triggering or harmful request. Please refer to the support resources section at the bottom of this webpage if needed.

How do I identify myself as a member of a designated group?

Applicants interested in employment with the GNWT should identify their eligibility in the designated groups at the time of application to receive priority consideration under the Indigenous Employment Policy. If you are applying online through eRecruit, you will be asked to answer a question on your Indigenous Employment Policy status. In addition, this information should also be included in your resume and cover letter document. If you are applying outside of eRecruit, please ensure you include a statement on your cover letter or resume.

For example, on the cover letter:
I am Indigenous to the NT and wish to be given priority consideration under the Indigenous Employment Policy.

Or on the resume:
Indigenous Employment Policy Candidate – Stage One Priority.

When requested, applicants belonging to a designated group will be asked to provide verification of their Indigenous status. 

The GNWT recognizes and honours the sovereign right of Indigenous governments to determine membership/citizenship; membership/citizenship and documentation for verification is determined and defined by Indigenous governments. Below are some examples of acceptable documentation for each designated group:

Stage One Priority (S1P) – Indigenous peoples who are recognized members and descendent of a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit people indigenous to the present boundaries of the Northwest Territories

  • Copy of status, treaty, Métis, or beneficiary card recognizing membership to a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit people indigenous to the present boundaries of the Northwest Territories.
  • A copy of the front and back of a parent’s or grandparent’s status, treaty, Métis, or beneficiary card recognizing membership to a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit people indigenous to the present boundaries of the Northwest Territories, along with a long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate that shows family connection
  • Written letter of confirmation from one of the following Indigenous governments of the Northwest Territories:
    • Akaitcho Territory Government
    • Dehcho First Nations
    • Gwich'in Tribal Council
    • Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
    • Northwest Territory Métis Nation
    • Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
    • Tłı̨chǫ Government
    • Kátł’odeeche First Nation
    • Salt River First Nation
    • Smith’s Landing First Nation
    • Acho Dene Koe First Nation and Fort Liard Métis Local #67
    • Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government
  • If none of the above forms of eligibility are applicable or accessible for reasons outside the applicant’s control, they may submit a statement and other documentary evidence about ancestry and kinship connections to a recognized First Nation, Inuit or Métis people indigenous to the present boundaries of the Northwest Territories for review

Stage Two Priority (S2P) – Indigenous peoples who are recognized members and descendent of a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit people Indigenous to areas of Canada, outside of the present boundaries of the Northwest Territories

  • Copy of Indian status card issued by the Government of Canada
  • Métis citizenship card from one of the following:
    • Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
    • Métis Nation of Alberta
    • Métis Nation British Columbia
    • Métis Nation of Ontario
    • Manitoba Métis Federation
    • Métis Settlements General Council showing connection to a Métis Settlement of Alberta
  • Inuit enrolment card issued by any of the three Inuit modern treaty bodies located outside the NWT including Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, or Nunavik
  • Land claim beneficiary card
  • Written confirmation of membership/enrollment from a federally recognized band/tribal authority
  • Written confirmation of Métis citizenship by a Métis local, council or education authority within the Métis Nation homeland recognized by the Métis National Council
  • A copy of the front and back of a parent’s or grandparent’s Indian status card, Métis citizenship card, Inuit enrolment card, land claim beneficiary card, along with a long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate that shows family connection
  • A letter from an Indigenous organization, government or nation, on letterhead with contact information that includes the individuals’ name and information confirming their ancestry, kinship and citizenship 
  • Other form of documentation indicating that the person is a member of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit government or organization, or who is a Non-Status First Nation, Métis or Inuit person who is a member of an Indigenous organization negotiating a treaty or other agreement with the federal and/or provincial governments
  • If none of the above forms of eligibility are applicable or accessible for reasons outside of the applicant’s control, they may submit a statement and other documentary evidence about ancestry and kinship connections to a recognized First Nation, Inuit or Métis nation, treaty, land claim, territory or region for review

All submitted documentation is protected by the privacy provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Once verified, applicants will not need to resubmit for future applications with the GNWT. 

Disclaimer: Further steps to verify authenticity of submitted documentation may be taken through consultation with associated First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments and organizations. 

Resources

For more information about the GNWT's Indigenous Employment Policy, please see:

Support Resources

NWT Help Line: 811

  • Available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week

Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645, website https://talksuicide.ca/

  • Available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week

Hope for Wellness Help Line (for First Nations and Inuit): 1-855-242-3310 or website https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

  • Live chat available in English or French, upon request phone counselling in Cree, Objibway and Inuktitut languages would be available
  • Available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week

Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program:

  • Mental health and emotional support available to former Residential School students and their families by calling 1-800-464-8106
  • Counsellors available for all NWT communities
  • National Crisis Line available 24/7: 1-866-925-4419

Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation

  • Land-based healing camp is located off the trail behind the Multiplex in Yellowknife.

NWT Community Counselling Program

Northwest Territories/Nunavut Council of Friendship Centres: (867-873-4332, 5125-48th St, Yellowknife, NT)

  • Manages the Indian Residential School Program and Indian Day School Program
  • These programs support mental health and emotional support for Residential and Day school survivors, family members and intergenerationally effected peoples.

Tree of Peace Friendship Centre (867-873-2864, 5011 51 St. Yellowknife)