The NWT’s rookie MP Rebecca Alty is the country’s Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet announced Tuesday morning.
The politically savvy, self-described policy nerd was appointed by a man born in Fort Smith and spent his early years in Edmonton. She is the NWT’s first member of cabinet since 2006.
Yellowknife’s former mayor and city councillor talked frequently in the campaign about running to be the NWT’s MP because she cares deeply about the people and communities of the North.
Now, she will have the chance to walk the walk.
NWT Minister Caitlin Cleveland, left, then-Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty and then-NWT MP Michael McLeod participate in a tea dance last summer in Behchokǫ̀. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
During the campaign, Alty said if elected a priority would be to re-introduce a bill funding the $375-million Indigenous-led conservation program Our Land for the Future, which died when Parliament was prorogued.
Alty has also promised to work on progressing land claims, and funding work on infrastructure projects such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway, Slave Geological Province Corridor and Taltson Hydro Expansion.
Alty told CKLB: “I strongly support the completion of land-claim and self-government negotiations, and believe that the Government of Canada can do more to reduce the time it takes to get agreements negotiated, finalized, ratified, and implemented. I am glad that under the current Liberal government the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Government have successfully negotiated and ratified their self government agreement, and as MP I want to ensure more Indigenous governments can achieve similar milestones in the coming years.
“I have heard from Indigenous leaders across the NWT that they would like to have more frequent negotiation meetings, as some tables are only meeting once or twice a month. I will advocate that CIRNAC improves the availability of federal negotiators so we can speed up the progress at the negotiating tables.”
During her campaign, Alty also said public safety needs to be addressed, taking a few tracks: “One is about the enforcement, and the other is about prevention, addictions recovery as well as those aftercare programs.”
She said: “I will be a strong voice for growing other sectors of our economy, including Indigenous tourism and culture, conservation, and agri-food and fishing. As MP, I will advocate for Indigenous employment and skills training and apprenticeship opportunities that address the needs of local communities. I will also work hard to secure federal investments from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and other departments and agencies for projects that will spur Indigenous economic development.”
As for CanNor, a newly elected Manitoba MP, Rebecca Chartrand, (Churchill–Keewatinook Aski) has been named minister of Northern and Arctic affairs and minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
The ministry has been split off from the previous Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs portfolio held by Gary Anandasangaree since December 2024.
Anandasangaree, well-known to many Northern Indigenous leaders, takes over as minister of public safety.
NWT Premier R.J. Simpson congratulated Prime Minister Carney on the swearing-in of his Cabinet, which he stated, “signals a renewed federal focus on the North and a recognition of the region’s central role in Canada’s future.”
Simpson continued: “I also want to extend my sincere congratulations to Rebecca Alty on her appointment as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. I look forward to working with her to advance land claims and self-government agreements — essential foundations for reconciliation, economic growth, and long-term stability.
“The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working with the Prime Minister, Minister Alty, Indigenous governments, and all federal partners to deliver meaningful results for Northerners and for the country as a whole. That work begins now.”
The Dene Nation extended its congratulations to the newly appointed members of the Liberal Cabinet, stating in a release, “Her understanding of Northern issues and her commitment to the well-being of our communities make her a capable choice for this important role for the Dene and Indigenous Nations.”
