Politics


Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę members vote on self-government agreement

If ratified the Indigenous government will take effect in 2026


Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę members are casting their ballots during the ratification process for a final self-government agreement – marking the last step toward establishing the Northwest Territories’ newest Indigenous government. “I think it’s a new horizon, and it’s something we should take a risk on because we finally got a deal,”…


Private smoking in public housing to be butted out across the NWT

Policy to be implemented in a staged approach for Housing NWT-owned units, including market rentals


Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana on Thursday told the NWT Assembly smoking will not be permitted in all new buildings and in any new or amended leases for existing public housing and market rentals. She said: “Eliminating smoking in our owned units will have positive health outcomes for our residents and…


Elders can be financially, emotionally abused by family members seeking cash for illegal drugs

'I've heard about people pressuring elders for pension cheque money. It's like they are trapped, and their money belongs to others,' says MLA Sheryl Yakeleya


Seniors are too often mistreated by the very people responsible for their care, this can include financial abuse by younger family members pressuring them for cash to buy illegal drugs, says an MLA. Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya told the NWT Assembly on Wednesday that there is an urgent need to…


‘Policies and procedures protect the criminals,’ says angry MLA

Mackenzie Delta's George Nerysoo says Housing NWT units in Fort McPherson are openly used as drug dens


A clearly frustrated elected official from a small Gwich’in community says complaints of drug dealing in public housing are ignored by authorities at all levels. Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo said he was confronted on the weekend by residents of his home community, Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson), who are fed…


Problems, solutions emerge in hearing on closure of 19 Community Learning Centres

'For the past 10 to 15, years, (the) Centres have become increasingly problematic, with low enrolment, high costs,' says Aurora College President Angela James


Aurora College President Angela James might not want to visit Fort Good Hope anytime soon after a remark she made about the closing of Community Learning Centres caught the ear of two MLAs at a hearing Thursday morning. James was justifying the abrubt closure of 19 Community Learning Centres across…


Low vaccination rates put most vulnerable people at serious risk, says NWT Health Minister

‘Addressing vaccine hesitancy in Indigenous communities … requires building trust through culturally safe care and meaningful engagement,’ says Lesa Semmler


Vaccine hesitancy and online misinformation are weakening trust in the science, leaving residents — especially elders and children — vulnerable to preventable diseases, says Health Minister Lesa Semmler. Measles vaccination rates amongst two-year-olds have dropped from nearly 90-per-cent in 2019 to just over 82-per-cent in 2024 — well below the…


American liquor purchases frozen, as GNWT does what it can in Trump Trade War

'It might be a difficult few years for us, but I know that we're going to stay united and we're going to resist,' says Premier R.J. Simpson


Take a hike Jack and Jim — that’s Daniels and Beam, respectively — as American-made alcohol products will no longer be purchased by the NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission. That’s one of the only direct moves the NWT can take at present to protest United States President Donald Trump’s 25-per-cent…


Speaker to MLAs: ‘We were not elected to quarrel and bicker’

Shane Thompson admonishes NWT Assembly after two MLA complaints in one week over conduct of their peers


Open and respectful communication between all Members is the most essential feature of consensus government. While it is impossible to reach unanimous agreement on all issues, the opportunity for all Members to have meaningful input into important decisions is fundamental. – From Consensus Government in the NWT Guiding Principles The…


Cell service dead zones, cash for communities and another upset MLA round out the week

The availability of consumer cell phones with emergency satellite connectivity could alleviate some drivers' concerns, says Minister Wawzonek


On Friday, Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya raised the longstanding issue of cell reception dead zones along major highways, especially the busy stretch between Fort Providence-Behchokǫ̀-Yellowkife. “People have safety concerns regarding the inability to call for help if something were to happen while travelling on our highways,” said Yakeleya. “Some people…