Hay River’s Jaylene Delorme has created the Dënegóth Nají project that helps people navigate government systems. She was recently awarded a $5,000 grant to help grow her project.

Delorme shares that it is a movement that empowers Indigenous communities to challenge systems that were never designed to serve them. Delorme has been advocating for her family for years and has now taken on a new role in her community, helping others with her project.

Delorme founded Dënegóth Nají, which means generational healing in Chipewyan, and helps people who need advice, support, or advocacy while trying to access services such as health-care benefits, government funding programs, training, and more. She helps people fill out applications and forms for resources, as many find the process overwhelming and simply give up, missing out on support available to them. Delorme got the idea for Dënegóth Nají from a few different places. She’d had to advocate for both of her children in the medical system and worked through barriers with immigration for her husband.

Delorme initially participated in the Inspire N.W.T. program for young entrepreneurs in early 2023 and also pitched her initiative for grant funding. She recently received the top amount available, $5,000, for her project Dënegóth Nají. Delorme will use the funds to formalize Dënegóth Nají, help her purchase equipment, and host information sessions. Eventually, Delorme plans to incorporate Dënegóth Nají and explore other funding options, while hoping to see similar initiatives developed in other N.W.T. communities.

Source: Julia Parrish, CBC