Culture

Culture, Featured, Health, News, Wildfires September 23, 2024

New trauma informed healing lodge for the Northwest Territories delayed until 2026

Dene Wellness Warrirors co-owner Roy Erasmus tells 15th Annual Voices for Peace Symposium counsellors are still being trained


The damage done by the devastating wildfires of 2023 continues to impact the health of the Northwest Territories, delaying the opening of a trauma-informed healing centre in the South Slave region. Not only is the former treatment centre on the Kátł’odeeche First Nation being used by the band after its…

Culture, Education, Featured, History, News, Politics, Reconciliation August 29, 2024

Indigenous languages in NWT need more than just lip service to thrive

For more than two decades, the GNWT has ignored many recommendations from its own languages commissioner


“The French language community has struggled hard to achieve recognition of their language in the NWT. Their work serves as a model in many ways for the work, which is needed on Dene languages.” Former languages commissioner Fibbie Tatti, in her 2004 report to the Assembly The erosion of Indigenous…

Culture, Education, Featured, News, Reconciliation August 26, 2024

Indigenous languages in NWT receive $17.7 million over three years

‘We will continue to work with Indigenous people and governments to ensure Indigenous languages are protected, promoted and celebrated,’ says Minister Caitlin Cleveland


The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have signed a new Canada-Northwest Territories Agreement on Indigenous Languages from 2024-25 to 2026-27. Under the new agreement, $5.9 million will be invested per fiscal year, for a total of $17.7 million over three years. Caitlin Cleveland is the…

Culture, Featured, History, News, Reconciliation August 25, 2024

Behchokǫ̀ unveils Chief Mǫwfi statue, officially opens $14M cultural centre, offices

'Mǫwfi is a father figure to so many of us, and many of us are directly descended from him.' says Elder Alphonz Nitsiza


The rain stopped, the clouds parted and sun shone brightly down on the bronze statue of legendary Chief Mǫwfi — revealed after years delays from a pandemic and then wildfires — to the delight of the assembled crowd. A rainy and cool community of Behchokǫ̀ had set up tents and…

Community, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Featured, News, Weather August 12, 2024

Enterprise Gateway Jamboree sends good vibes into devastated community

The 25th event still had to contend with heavy wildfire smoke this year, on what was to be its final day


This year’s Enterprise Gateway Jamboree went pretty much exactly how organizers had hoped it would. It was the 25th anniversary of the community festival, there was food, drink, music and about 1,000 people showed up. There was a long list of sponsors and support came from far and wide. After…

Community, Culture, Events, Featured, News August 6, 2024

Tłı̨chǫ culture, heritage, and pride celebrated in Behchokǫ̀

Annual day-long event marks signing of Tłı̨chǫ Agreement in 2003


The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and smiles were plentiful in Behchokǫ̀ for Tłı̨chǫ Day Celebration on Sunday. Hundreds of residents and visitors enjoyed an afternoon and evening of fun, food and festivities marking the signing of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement in 2003. The Tłı̨chǫ Agreement is a historic…

Culture, Featured, News July 2, 2024

Cultural pride front and centre at Indigenous Summer Games

A competition, but also a celebration of traditional sports, Indigenous peoples and their culture.


Athletes from across the NWT — and further afield — gathered in Yellowknife over the weekend for the 2024 Indigenous Summer Games. Hundreds of youth, parents and adult competitors attended the three-day games at Ecole St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife. Organized by Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT, the Summer Games…