The Tłı̨chǫ Government has approved a $250 Harvest Subsidy Payment for every enrolled Tłı̨chǫ Citizen, with the first payments set to go out on July 13, 2026. The Chief Executive Council made the decision on June 16, 2026, continuing a program that helps community members cover costs tied to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Citizens who are 65 and older and live in the Tłı̨chǫ Region—Behchokǫ̀, Whatì, Gamètì, and Wekweètì—will get the payment automatically. Everyone else needs to apply. Applications can be submitted at the Tłı̨chǫ head office in Behchokǫ̀ or any Community Presence office. The Corporate Services Department handles processing and also manages payments for children in social services.
Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty and the four community chiefs—Bertha Rabesca Zoe of Behchokǫ̀, Charles Nitsiza of Whatì, Adeline Football of Wekweètì, and Doreen Arrowmaker of Gamètì—oversee the council that approved the funding. The money comes from Impact Benefit Agreement revenues, which are tied to resource development on Tłı̨chǫ lands. However, the government cautions that future payments depend on available funding, as these revenues can change over time. The end of commercial production at the Diavik Diamond Mine in March 2026 adds uncertainty to the program’s long-term outlook.
The harvest subsidy has been an annual tradition since at least 2016, always at the $250 amount. It reflects a broader commitment to traditional land use that was strengthened when the Tłı̨chǫ signed the first combined land claim and self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories, which took effect on August 4, 2005. That agreement gave the Tłı̨chǫ Government ownership of Tłı̨chǫ Lands and the ability to manage resources like fish and wildlife.
The government says the subsidy is a direct way to help every enrolled citizen stay connected to harvesting practices, especially as the cost of equipment and travel rises. Applications are open now, and anyone with questions can contact the Corporate Services Department.
