GNWT releases 2024-2025 Indigenous Employment Plan results

Press Release

June 3, 2026

Today, the Minister of Finance tabled the Indigenous Employment Plan Results Report in the Legislative Assembly. The report highlights the Government of Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) efforts to increase Indigenous representation in its workforce and to improve hiring, training, and career development opportunities for Indigenous employees across the public service.

Results from 2024–2025 show continued progress across the GNWT. Departments are making greater use of programs that support career growth, including expanded access to training and Indigenous language learning. Improvements to hiring practices are helping connect qualified Indigenous candidates to opportunities more quickly, while ongoing reviews of job descriptions and recruitment processes are making positions clearer and more accessible.

Work also continues to strengthen workplace learning and awareness, with cultural awareness training and updated tools supporting more consistent, fair hiring practices.

2024-2025 report highlights:

Indigenous employees made up 32% of the GNWT workforce overall and 25% of management positions.
Across departments, 67% reported more than 25% Indigenous representation in their workforce.
A total of 3,795 job descriptions have been reviewed since 2022 to improve clarity and reduce barriers in hiring.

These results reflect continued, practical progress in improving how opportunities are accessed and supported across the GNWT, with ongoing efforts focused on strengthening recruitment, development, and retention over time.

Quote

“We are seeing meaningful progress, and we know there is more to do. This work is about creating lasting opportunities and ensuring Indigenous employees are supported to succeed at every stage of their careers. By continuing to improve how we recruit, develop, and retain talent, we are building a stronger, more inclusive public service that better reflects the people we serve.”

– Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance

Quick Facts:

The Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Framework guides efforts to build a public service that reflects the population it serves.
The Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Action Plan sets out practical steps to improve hiring, retention, and career development for Indigenous employees.
Departmental Indigenous Employment Plans set targets and actions for each department or agency and track progress year over year. There are 21 plans across the GNWT.
The Indigenous Employment Policy was finalized in 2024–2025, helping standardize how departments set priorities, track results, and report on progress, while also strengthening a more consistent, coordinated approach to improving recruitment and advancement outcomes for Indigenous employees across the GNWT.