GNWT Announces 2022 Anti-Poverty Fund Recipients

Press Release

April 13, 2022

Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services, is pleased to announce the 2022 recipients of the $1.75 million Anti-Poverty Fund. This year, 64 grants were awarded to community, Indigenous and non-profit organizations to help overcome and reduce poverty by addressing root causes. This is the largest number of projects the fund has supported in a single year to date

The successful proposals will assist in reducing poverty by supporting food security; early childhood development; employment and training; healthy living; traditional knowledge; on-the-land activities; as well as provide support to residents experiencing homelessness.

Highlights include the second phase of the Expanding Food Security project run by the Hamlet of Tulita. Tulita has a flourishing community garden, which includes greenhouses, private outdoor plots, and a potato field that produces roughly 3500 pounds of potatoes per year. The community plans to install an all-season greenhouse to support year-round food production and food security initiatives. In addition to introducing new spaces for gardening, this project offers workshops on healthy cooking, food preservation, and composting.

Access to quality early childhood development programs help to prevent poverty. The Reaching Out – Young Children and their Families program run by Children First Society in Inuvik provides fun and educational opportunities for children and families. Some featured programs offered through this initiative focus on cooking with family, art and education, and physical activity.

Strong Indigenous cultures and communities help build resilience. Dene Nahjo will hold a hide tanning mentorship program in the Dehcho region this year. This two-week camp creates a space for experienced hide tanners to pass on traditional knowledge. The program also provides an opportunity to engage in on-the-land activities including harvesting, storytelling, preparing dry meat, and learning about the land.

The Community Wood Stove project is run by the Arctic Energy Alliance and creates partnerships with Indigenous and/or community governments across the territory to help provide energy efficient wood stoves for low-income homeowners. This project includes services such as home assessments, installation of code-compliant wood stoves, and delivery of workshops to increase awareness of safe heating practices. In the past the Community Wood Stove project has assisted with installation of approximately 150 wood stoves for low-income homeowners in communities throughout the NWT.

Quote(s)

“Our government is committed to reducing poverty by offering programs and services that address immediate needs, allow residents to live with dignity, and provide a path out of poverty. With the support and input of our partners and the public, we will continue to address key areas such as income support, food security, housing, and homelessness through initiatives like the Anti-Poverty Round Table, Anti-Poverty Fund, and Anti-Poverty Action Plan. I’d like to thank the Anti-Poverty Advisory Committee for reviewing the applications and making recommendations.”

– Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

The Anti-Poverty Fund supports eligible organizations in their efforts to reduce poverty in the NWT.
Projects receiving funding must align with one or more of the five pillars of the Anti-Poverty Strategic Framework and Action Plan.
Funding is allocated each fiscal year.
The Anti-Poverty Fund has an annual budget of $1.75 million; there is no maximum or minimum funding limit for individual projects.
This is the first time the Anti-Poverty Fund has awarded multi-year funding.
This year, 64 proposals were approved for funding, ranging from $5,000 to $60,000.

GNWT Announces 2022 Anti-Poverty Fund Recipients

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