Sixty North Unity
For the North, by the North
We’re a consortium of Indigenous organizations with a mission to enhance telecommunication services for northern communities.
Sixty North Unity is led by Yukon First Nations Telco in Yukon, Denendeh Investments Incorporated in the Northwest Territories, and Kitikmeot Corporation in Nunavut.
A number of additional Indigenous organizations and corporations are currently analyzing the opportunity, and we anticipate further announcements in that respect.
A word from our leadership
Tiffany Eckert-Maret, Sixty North Unity (Yukon)
“As Indigenous people, we have long believed we are best placed to make the necessary decisions affecting services in our communities. The acquisition of Northwestel will give us the autonomy to make those investments and choices to serve our telecommunications needs into the future.”
Tiffany Eckert-Maret is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Da Daghay Development Corporation (DDDC). As the COO of the economic development company for her First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations, overseeing staff and managing the largest investment for DDDC. Tiffany also serves as the President of the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce.
Darrell Beaulieu, Sixty North Unity (Northwest Territories)
“Indigenous partnerships with industry have continued to evolve and expand. This collaboration across all three territories will allow us to own and operate a leader in northern telecommunications services and is the next logical step in the development and growth of our businesses. Bell has provided us the support necessary to realize this important opportunity.”
Darrell Beaulieu was appointed President and CEO of Denendeh Investments Incorporated (DII) and the Denendeh group of companies in October 2005. DII is the General Partner of Denendeh Investments Limited Partnership (DILP), which holds investments on behalf of all the NWT Dene First Nations in Mineral Exploration, Communications Infrastructure Logistics, Power Generation and Supply, Food Supply and Real Estate. He also serves as President and CEO of Denendeh Development Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation whose members are the 27 Chiefs of the Dene Nation. DDC owns 50% of the NWT Metis Dene Development Fund, which provides developmental lending to NWT businesses.
David Omilgoitok, Sixty North Unity (Nunavut)
“This acquisition allows us to take the lead in continuing to address the critical gap in telecommunications services in our northern communities. Expanded investments in fibre and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) infrastructure have the ability to transform the North and put us on equal footing with the rest of Canada.”
David is originally from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and has served as the President and CEO of Kitikmeot Corporation (KC), the business development arm of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, since 2012. David was formerly Chair of the Board for Qulliq Energy Corporation, and prior to that, he spent many years in government positions, including Secretary to Cabinet and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Want to get involved?
The impact of this acquisition will be felt by northern Indigenous communities for generations to come. It will create more opportunities for investment and ownership in infrastructure and communications projects and generate more short- and long-term job opportunities.
If other Indigenous organizations in the North are interested in joining the consortium but feel they have not yet had the opportunity, we welcome those discussions.
Our goal is to be inclusive and have as broad an Indigenous ownership group as possible.