News

Featured, News, Politics December 18, 2024

GNWT to launch new hiring policy that focuses on Indigenous recruitment

Priority hiring outlined in the Affirmative Action Policy will be scrapped


The GNWT is replacing its long-standing hiring policy with a new Indigenous Employment Policy (IEP) that simplifies the process for hiring Indigenous people in the public sector. Public Service Minister Caroline Wawzonek and Deputy Minister of Finance William Mackey made the announcement yesterday afternoon. “The goal of this policy is…

Featured, Industry, Mining, News, Politics December 18, 2024

Drilling down on expenditures show serious decrease in NWT mineral exploration

This as Nunavut enjoys a slight increase; GNWT still polishing regulations for Mineral Resources Act passed in 2019


Mining exploration expenditures in the NWT have experienced a sharp decrease this year, federal estimates show. This comes at a time when the cash-strapped GNWT is searching for ways to compensate for lost revenue for the looming closure of the big diamond mines in coming years. Exploration expenditures remained steady…

Featured, News December 16, 2024

Gail Cyr: ‘Forged by pain and isolation; met with fury and laughter’

Jesse Wheeler eulogizes his trailblazing Indigenous mom at Sunday's emotional celebration of life


Gail Cyr’s celebration of life was outspoken, fearless and passionate — an accurate representation of the Order of Canada recipient’s colourful life of nearly 72 years, which ended After all, what memorial service have you ever been to that featured a foot-long hand-made paper mâché phallus firmly attached to the…

Featured, Housing, News, Politics December 16, 2024

Homelessness: ‘It’s crucial we unite to create meaningful change,’ says MP Michael McLeod

GNWT will match federal funding of $1 million over two years for projects such as the temporary On-the-Land Camp


The latest brick in the wall from government to address homelessness is a $2 million partnership between Ottawa and the territorial government. This partnership will help alleviate capacity challenges identified by local shelter operators, while addressing encampments and helping find homes for people sleeping in tents through a “human rights-based…

Featured, History, News, Reconciliation December 15, 2024

YWCA Canada apologizes for supporting colonial residential school system

YWCA NWT will now work with Indigenous leaders to clarify what historical involvement it had in the North, says executive director


The largest provider of services to women, girls and families in the country has issued a formal apology to Indigenous communities, families and individuals for its historical involvement in the operation of Residential Schools and ‘Indian Hospitals.’ YWCA Canada’s research, primarily based on records from the 1960s, found numerous YWCAs…

Featured, Health, News, Politics December 15, 2024

NWT Health Leadership Council discharged, angering Dene leadership

'It is time for Dene to determine our own ways of caring for our people,' says National Chief George Mackenzie


The Dene Nation has grave concerns over the dissolution dismissal of the NWT’s Health and Social Services (NTHSSA) Leadership Council, in favour of a single public administrator, as it could hurt overall effectiveness of health service delivery. “We are in a crisis state regarding medical travel, child/family services and the…

Community, Featured, History, News December 13, 2024

Gwichyà Gwich’in scholar’s book amplifies voices of 75 Indigenous northerners

The book, By Strength We Are Still Here, is available today


“What would Indigenous societies look like today if the legacy of residential schools – all of the violence, death and trauma – never happened?” asks Crystal Gail Fraser, a Gwichyà Gwich’in historian and scholar at the University of Alberta. This is a question that lingers on Fraser’s mind. It prompted…

Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation December 13, 2024

Kátł’odeeche First Nation chooses financial specialist Elaine Auger for chief

Disaster recovery, economic development on the table as community settles lucrative modern Treaty Day payments


The people of Kátł’odeeche First Nation have spoken, electing Elaine Auger as chief on Thursday. And Auger promises to let the people speak out on issues to drive decisions by a transparent and accountable leadership group. The final tally in Thursday’s election, pending any appeals, was 129 votes cast for…