The passing of a federal bill commemorating the legacy of the residential school system and creation of a statutory holiday is bitter-sweet for Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya. In late May, Parliament fast-tracked Bill C-5 to the Senate; then earlier this month, Senators unanimously passed the bill to recognize Sept….
Frame Lake MLA Kevin O’Reilly introduced a private member’s bill which passed second reading in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. But it did so without the support of cabinet. The bill would amend legislation to allow for the disclosure of information on resource royalties to an MLA or Indigenous government…
Many MLAs, ministers and Premier Caroline Cochrane expressed their disappointment and sadness in the recent discovery of Indigenous children’s remains at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C. Monday. Lisa Semmler, MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes, said it was insulting that using the term genocide was ever debated. “Genocide…
Agitate by presence is one way to get noticed – a reality known all too well by Canada’s first Indigenous woman appointed to a UN expert body, Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot. Alongside six other independent experts, she will now be representing North America on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Part of…
Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADKFN) wrapped up its election Monday evening, well almost. Eugene Hope was re-elected as chief with 148 votes. James Duntra trailed closely behind with 145 votes and Steven Steeves received 24. The six new councillors are: Brenda Berreault with 220 votes Donny Bertrand with 264…
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…
Cabinet has taken issue with a motion put forward to end the use of power limiters in the NWT. Jackie Jacobson, MLA for Nunakput, introduced a motion to amend Bill 23 in the Legislative Assembly last week to cut back on the use of power limiters by the Northwest Territories…
Regular MLAs passed a motion to fast-track the GNWT’s review of the NWT housing corporation during a housing-themed sitting of the19th Legislative Assembly, Wednesday. The motion directs the housing corporation to update its mission statement and include referrals to governments programs prior to evicting residents in public housing. Caitlin Cleveland,…
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…