NWT RCMP has stopped its investigation into the source of the Hay River highrise fire that happened two years ago. Despite the territorial Fire Marshal’s initial investigation that suggested the fire was lit intentionally, the RCMP has not laid any charges related to the case. “In the end, the criminal…
A new research project incorporating Indigenous knowledge is looking to increase the rate of HPV vaccination in the Northwest Territories. According to a news release, the NWT’s HPV vaccination rate is 55 per cent, compared to 92 per cent across Canada. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted…
NWT residents now have an opportunity to voice their thoughts on how much money MLAs are paid. The Independent Commission to Review Members Compensation and Benefits, led by former Premier Joe Handley, is asking for feedback on MLA salaries and benefits. The base salary for a Member of the Legislative…
Starting in September, the minimum wage in the Northwest Territories will increase from $13.46 to $15.20 per hour. R.J. Simpson, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, made the announcement in Thursday’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly. He said once the increase kicks in on Sept. 1, the NWT will have…
Earl Evans is calling on the Indigenous and territorial governments to work together and educate harvesters on respectful hunting practices. Evans, the chair of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou management board, shared his recent experience of travelling the Tibbitt to Contwoyto ice road where he says he saw unsafe hunting…
Regular MLAs voted unanimously in favour of a motion calling for the territorial government to “review its policies and practices for racial and cultural bias, especially as they relate to education, health and social services, justice, housing, and government hiring.” Frieda Martselos, MLA for Thebacha, introduced the motion during Wednesday’s…
The same firm that investigated former Governor General Julie Payette will be looking into complaints against NWT Legislative Assembly Clerk Tim Mercer. The Legislative Assembly’s Board of Management has hired Quintet Consulting Corp. to do the third-party assessment into the Office of the Clerk. “Quintet’s consulting work focuses on investigations…
Residents of Chateh are under a mandatory two-week lockdown as of 9 a.m. today, according to Dene Tha’ First Nation. The first nation posted an advisory on social media, which outlines the rules during lockdown. Full household lockdown, no one leaves their home Nobody in or out of the community,…
Some residents in the NWT’s northern-most communities are struggling with mental health, says Jackie Jacobson. “A lot of people are hurting from depression,” said the Nunakput MLA. He was pleading with Julie Green, minister of Health and Social Services, for in-person counselling services. Green acknowledged there are “some vacancies in…
Délı̨nę has signed an agreement with the federal government to benefit the community in remediation projects around Great Bear Lake. The agreement is a first step “towards ensuring Délı̨nę community members have a say in decisions about the clean-up of abandoned mine sites near their homes,” reads a news release….