Nicky-Richards, Fort-Good-Hope, Arctic-Circle-Drum-Roadside-Attraction – March-202. Photo: Viviane Edgi-Manuel
Nicky-Richards, Fort-Good-Hope, Arctic-Circle-Drum-Roadside-Attraction – March-202. Photo: Viviane Edgi-Manuel
We are committed to keeping our community informed and empowered, ensuring that you have all the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and take impactful actions. Driven by the vision set forth by the Dene National Assembly, DDC heeds the call for unified efforts and collaboration among Indigenous governments. Embodied by our leadership role, we work closely with other Indigenous governments to further our strategic agenda. In this vein, we have played an active role in establishing the NWT Indigenous Leaders’ Economic Coalition—an informal coalition involving the Dene, Inuvialuit, and Metis communities. This coalition aims to enhance Indigenous co-ownership in resource and infrastructure development within the NWT region, forming the cornerstone of DDC’s strategic planning.
Who We Are
The Dene are original inhabitants of the NWT and Northern Canada. Also known as part of the Athapaskan peoples, the Dene cover a vast area from present day Alaska, extending through Yukon, beyond the Mackenzie Delta region in the Arctic Circle, reaching to the Hudson Bay in the east, and to the southern-most tip of North America. Dene means “people” and Denendeh means “The Land of the People”.
The Dene Nation encompasses 27 First Nation Communities of the Northwest Territories of Canada, as well as Smith’s Landing in northern Alberta. These 27 First Nations are from Gwich’in, Sahtu, Dehcho, Akaitcho and Tlicho communities. The Dene Nation National Chief is also a Vice-Chief with the Canada-wide Assembly of First Nations.
The Dene National Office is located on the reserve of K’atl’odeeche First Nation (Hay River), NWT with a sub-office in Yellowknife. The Dene Nation is governed by the Chiefs, and the highest decision-making body for the Dene Nation is the Dene National Assembly, consisting of the Chiefs and their delegation of community representatives.
Denendeh Development Corporation (DDC) was created in 1982 by the Dene National Assembly as a Canada-wide, not-for-profit corporation with the goal of building a stronger Dene future and supporting economic, social, and cultural development. DDC’s vision is to be a vehicle for the Dene regions to cooperate in viable socio-economic endeavors.
In 2007, at the direction of the Chiefs, DDC created Denendeh Investments Limited Partnership (DILP), with Denendeh Investments Incorporated (DII) as its general partner. DILP was established to create long term economic self-sufficiency for the Dene by engaging in profitable business ventures. Through DILP, the Dene can participate in investment opportunities throughout the North, across Canada and around the world to generate wealth, employment, and business opportunities. A core principle of DDC’s is non-competitive alliances with our regions and community based Indigenous-owned businesses.
Denendeh Investments Incorporated (DII)
In 2000 the Chiefs of Denendeh approved a new investment structure that resulted in the creation of Denendeh Investments Limited Partnership (DILP) and its general partner Denendeh Investments Incorporated (DII).
- DDC owns 50% of the N.W.T. Métis-Dene Development Fund Ltd. along with the N.W.T. Métis Development Corporation Ltd.
- DDC owns preferred and ordinary partnership units in DILP.
- DDC organized and presented the Annual NWT Aboriginal
Business Conferences between 2006 and 2009. - DDC was instrumental in the creation of the Northern Aboriginal Business Association (NABA), founded in October 2007.
- DDC works to create long-term economic self-sufficiency for the Dene – investing today for a stronger Dene future.
First Nations Major Project Coalition
During the 2022 DDC Annual General Meeting, a crucial resolution was passed, officially endorsing DDC’s membership in the First Nations Major Project Coalition. This partnership offers NWT First Nations access to valuable resources for projects exceeding $100 million. Members can take advantage of advocacy, negotiation support, project structuring, legal advice, commercial agreements, financial analysis, financing strategies, government relations, environmental impact assessment standards, facilitation, coordination, administrative support, negotiation assistance, travel subsidies, and free registration to FNMPC events.