Politics

Confederation, diamonds and cargo up for discussion as Assembly returns

'Will (the Premier) at least support those voices calling for Indigenous rights to be respected in Alberta?' asks Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart


On the eve of the Western Premiers’ Conference in Yellowknife, Premier R.J. Simpson on Wednesday had to tiptoe around some political minefields set by some Regular MLAs in the Legislative Assembly. As the session resumed Wednesday after breaking in March, the NWT’s relationship with Alberta and its premier, Danielle Smith,…


Diamond mines aren’t forever, so what can they be replaced with?

'We don't want to be in a situation where we are not using the resources we have, including the ability to take on debt in order to provide infrastructure,' says Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek


The pending closure of the NWT’s three huge diamond mines will certainly reduce direct taxation revenues for the territorial government, but it’s the ripple effects through the private sector that could really hurt our economy, says the minister in charge. During a virtual town hall Thursday night — the first…


NWT rookie MP Rebecca Alty scores sought-after cabinet seat

The territory's first cabinet minister in two decades has promised to work on progressing land claims, and on major infrastructure projects


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…


Dene Nation backs Alberta’s Indigenous peoples ignored in separation fight

The Trump factor: 'Maybe they're going to be the 51st state, with all the oil and gas,' says Sahtu Dene Council Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon


“We gotta make it known for the next generations, this is what this generation did to support Alberta … we will be in the media, and it will be on the record.”   – Chief George Mackenzie A referendum on Alberta leaving Canada is potentially in the cards, and the…


Facing ‘urgent’ governance challenges, Enterprise now under GNWT administration

Former Inuvik CEO Grant Hood will be Municipal Administrator for an indeterminate time, performing the duties of council


A municipal administrator is now running the Hamlet of Enterprise, after the GNWT dismissed the community’s entire council, citing urgent “governance, financial, and operational challenges,” says the minister in charge. The tiny South Slave community of Enterprise — with a population of just 75 in 2021 — has faced leadership…


‘Top offender list’ to help RCMP allocate resources in fight against drug crime in the NWT

Dene Nation forms drug-fighting task force, as senior Mountie lays out concerns with small airport security, lenient bail, and soft sentences for traffickers


“I don’t want anybody to get hurt standing up for their community, and I don’t want anybody to cross the line where they’ve done something that does break the law.” – RCMP Supt. Chris Romanchych The RCMP are compiling for the first time a top offender list for the Northwest…


Dene Nation leadership debates creating task force to tackle drug crisis gripping communites

'This is a new type of genocide. It's a genocide that we've inflicted upon ourselves,' says Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian


As dozens of First Nations leaders were searching for ways to stop drug traffickers from importing violence and misery from the south, news came of an RCMP arrest in Norman Wells of two Alberta men and the seizure of crack cocaine, meth, and a loaded handgun. Since the pandemic, shootings,…


Yellowknife’s new mayor is ‘old-fashioned process guy’ Ben Hendriksen

Internal council process passed over two councillors who placed their Indigenous backgrounds front-and-centre at Monday special meeting


“Reconciliation is a core value that council continues to champion and uphold.” – the City of Yellowknife Yellowknife’s new mayor is Ben Hendriksen, who has been in an acting role since Rebecca Alty began her successful campaign in April to be the NWT’s new MP. The self-confessed “old-fashioned process guy”…


Liberal Rebecca Alty trades Yellowknife Council Chamber for House of Commons seat

City mayor and former two-term councillor promises to 'work hard to represent you and to be your strong voice in Ottawa'


Liberal Rebecca Alty’s political career keeps soaring, as the current Yellowknife mayor scored a convincing win on Monday over three candidates to be the NWT’s sole MP in the House of Commons. As she celebrated with jubilant supporters in a warehouse full of campaign signage and large posters of Liberal…


Mackenzie Delta MLA enters treatment program after impaired driving charge: reports

George Nerysoo’s leave of absence will last for several months; he will miss some committee work and the next house sitting


The MLA for Mackenzie Delta has taken a leave of absence and entered a treatment program after being charged with impaired driving in Fort McPherson, state media reports. George Nerysoo’s leave of absence was first reported this week by the CBC, which stated the first-term MLA had posted about his situation…