$885K announced to develop Mackenzie Delta reindeer agribusiness

$885K announced to develop Mackenzie Delta reindeer agribusiness Eshana Gohil Thursday August 27, 2026 at 3:33pm MT The Inuvik reindeer herd. Mady MacDonald/Dreamstime Share The Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO) is receiving up to $885,225 from the federal government to develop a plan for the Mackenzie Delta reindeer herd.  The funding will support plans to turn the herd into a self-sustaining agribusiness, including work on infrastructure, workforce development, market expansion and long-term operations.  The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation’s acting chair, Jordan McLeod, stated the money would help “Inuvialuit-led solutions that build food sovereignty.” “For nearly a century, the Mackenzie Delta reindeer herd has been an important source of food, opportunity, and connection for Inuvialuit families,” Rebecca Alty, minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and MP for the NWT, was quoted as saying in a news release.  The Mackenzie Delta herd is described by the federal government as the only reindeer herd in Canada. ICEDO assumed ownership and management of the herd in 2021, when it numbered about 1,500 animals.  Advertisement. Advertisement. The herd has since grown to approximately 7,000 animals. Ottawa said. The plan will build on the herd’s existing role in providing food for Inuvialuit families while exploring how to expand its economic potential across the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Related Articles ‘We must act now.’ Don’t harvest reindeer herd, IRC urges January 22, 2020 Yes, the NWT actually has reindeer transport permits December 22, 2022 NWT embarks on virtual canoe trip in classrooms October 16, 2020 Top Stories Still plenty of opposition to NWT hosting 2035 Canada Games August 27, 2026 Changes to Facebook and Instagram after US case won’t affect Canada – yet August 27, 2026 Nasa’s ABoVE project ends after 11 years of tracking a changing North August 27, 2026 Tickets on sale for historic Yellowknife basketball tournament August 27, 2026 Artwalks, tennis courts and compost among 2027 Yellowknife budget asks August 27, 2026 This article written by: Eshana Gohil Eshana is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with a focus on smaller communities across the NWT.