Politics

Events, Featured, News, Politics, Profile October 21, 2024

‘He was superhuman’ – Tony Whitford’s well-lived life celebrated

Family and friends gather at State Memorial Service for former MLA, cabinet minister and NWT commissioner


From the humblest of beginnings in Fort Smith, to surviving residential school, and a lengthy career in politics and community service, Anthony (Tony) Whitford was fondly remembered at a State Memorial Service on Saturday. Whitford passed away peacefully on September 16th at the age of 83, in Stanton Territorial Hospital,…

Environment, Featured, News, Politics, Transportation, Wildfires October 18, 2024

Cash-strapped GNWT to ask Ottawa to raise $1.8B debt limit

Natural disasters, strained health-care system, have pummelled territory's finances, says Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek


As drought conditions and wildfires have dried up the territory’s finances, the GNWT will now ask Ottawa to raise the debt level cap beyond the current $1.8 billion borrowing limit, says Finance Minister Carolyn Wawzonek. In an update to the Assembly on Friday, Wawzonek noted Marine Transportation Services, the Northwest…

Environment, Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation, Transportation, Weather, Wildfires October 17, 2024

‘We are in a dire situation right now,’ says Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek

Low water levels this year, climate change overall draining NWT's coffers; Sahtu region in pricing crisis as winter approaches


The Members of the Legislative Assembly were back in session Thursday after their summer break. And the “humanitarian crisis” in the Sahtu region, especially with cost-of-living and fuel shortages in Norman Wells, MLAs entered into and emergency debate following a motion by Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart. At the time…

Featured, News, Politics October 10, 2024

MLA Richard Edjericon’s smear campaign chases terrified senior nurse out of the Northwest Territories

Integrity Commissioner recommends reprimand and $2,500 fine, as the Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh rep's campaign was based on 'innuendo, hearsay and rumours'


“(The MLA) has not brought forward to senior management, a single complaint containing a specific scenario or situation, which would indicate racism or incompetence. He has not provided any evidence to substantiate his claim that I am ‘killing people.’” – Nurse Jennifer Patterson The NWT Legislative Assembly’s Integrity Commissioner has…

Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation October 8, 2024

‘Voice of the North’ bends ears of Ottawa power brokers in advance of budget

'NWT council of leaders is not just a forum for discussions; it is a catalyst for action,' says Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty


The NWT Council of Leaders can be “the voice of the North,” when it comes to lobbying Ottawa to advance some of the major projects the territory needs to survive, thrive and compete with southern Canada. On its first group trip to meet with federal officials, Premier RJ Simpson and…

Featured, News, Politics September 16, 2024

Gwich’in Tribal Council selects interim grand chief during election dispute

Michael Greenland, president of the Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council, will serve as courts rule on challenge to August's election


Michael Greenland has been appointed interim grand chief of the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) by its board of directors. As president of the Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council, Greenland was a director of the GTC and will serve as interim grand chief at least until to the results of last month’s election…

Featured, Housing, News, Politics, Reconciliation September 9, 2024

Homeless encampment in Yellowknife to come down starting today

Authorities will work with residents there to secure housing options; area residents complained of filth and crime


“I’m at a breaking point. I’m out of options. But today we’re supposed to hear news from the GNWT or the City … about finding us a new location or public housing if possible.” – Encampment resident Colton Migwi The homeless encampment on 51st Street in Yellowknife is scheduled to…

Featured, News, Politics September 8, 2024

Pierre Poilievre unpacks parcel of promises during Yellowknife stop

Axe the Tax rally also heard the Conservative's Opposition leader's plans for housing, health-care, addictions and gun control


It was billed as an Axe the Tax rally, and Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre gleefully chopped away at the ruling Liberal Party’s record on Sunday, just days after the NDP pulled its support for the minority government. In addition to promising to kill the maligned Carbon Tax — which…

Featured, News, Politics September 5, 2024

GTC looks for acting grand chief; electoral dispute now before courts

Petition and Facebook page also launched this week, alleging 'the democratic process of the election is in peril.’


The politically heated 2024 Gwich’in Election of a Grand Chief will now simmer in the courts, after presumptive winner Frederick Blake Jr. was granted a judicial review this week of the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s decision to toss the results of the August 19th visit to the polls by beneficiaries. Incumbent…

Culture, Education, Featured, History, News, Politics, Reconciliation August 29, 2024

Indigenous languages in NWT need more than just lip service to thrive

For more than two decades, the GNWT has ignored many recommendations from its own languages commissioner


“The French language community has struggled hard to achieve recognition of their language in the NWT. Their work serves as a model in many ways for the work, which is needed on Dene languages.” Former languages commissioner Fibbie Tatti, in her 2004 report to the Assembly The erosion of Indigenous…