The territorial government has confirmed the departure of Joe Dragon as deputy minister of the department of Infrastructure. Dragon has been out of the position for months, reportedly following heated disagreements with Katrina Nokleby, the former infrastructure minister. In a news release, the GNWT says the departure is backdated to…
The territorial government acknowledges it needs to improve its communications around COVID-19, especially regarding its proposed secretariat. Speaking with reporters Thursday morning, Russell Neudorf, the man in charge of the project, said all these questions are partly the government’s fault. “I believe this is in part because we may not…
Newly-elected Gwich’in Grand Chief Ken Smith has thrown his support behind Mi’kmaw fishers in Nova Scotia exercising their “inherent and constitutionally protected” treaty rights. In a statement on Thursday, the Gwich’in Tribal Council said it stood in solidarity with the Sipekne’katik First Nation. A conflict between Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishers…
“Now is not the time for austerity,” was one of the key lines from the Liberal government’s throne speech on Wednesday. The speech addressed the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, reconciliation and several other major issues affecting the Northwest Territories. Officially called the Speech from the Throne, this is a practice…
Wally Schumann, a former territorial cabinet minister, says he is considering running as a member of the Conservative Party in the next federal election. “I’m having a good, hard look at it,” he says. Schumann says he’s never been a member of a political party, but adds he trusts the…
The Northwest Territories executive council officially took on new portfolios Tuesday afternoon. Premier Caroline Cochrane continues in her role as minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs as well as leading the new COVID-19 secretariat role. The COVID-19 secretariat, was established to ensure more responsibility and accountability could be dedicated to…
Gwich’in Tribal Council election results reveal Kenny Smith will serve as grand chief and Kristine McLeod as deputy grand chief. The preliminary election results provided by chief returning officer Mary Ann Villeneuve found Smith was elected after receiving 611 of the 1,024 ballots cast. His competitor, Richard John Blake, received…
After a short but contentious committee meeting, Julie Green will be appointed a cabinet position. Green, MLA for Yellowknife Centre, was the only person to run for the position. But, Steve Norn, MLA for Tu Nedhé – Wiilideh, made the case he should be considered and expressed his disappointment when…
With her mask dangling from one ear, Katrina Nokleby fled the floor of the Legislative Assembly. For two hours, Nokleby listened as her fellow MLAs criticized her performance and demeanour as minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Infrastructure. A week after Premier Caroline Cochrane stripped Nokleby of her portfolios,…
Katrina Nokleby was the sole vote against a motion to debate her position as part of the executive council. Premier Caroline Cochrane introduced a motion to revoke Nokleby’s seat after removing her from the Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Infrastructure portfolios last week. The premier has repeatedly cited concerns with…