Politics

Featured, News, Politics, Weather February 28, 2025

Norman Wells is ‘a community living in fear,’ says Sahtu MLA

NWT Assembly passes motion declaring a humanitarian state of emergency for the regional centre


The Sahtu region’s hub of Norman Wells is in a dire situation, with residents living in fear and some already choosing to move away, says MLA Danny McNeely. The MLA presented a motion declaring a state of emergency for Norman Wells due to severe impacts from climate change, including rising…

Featured, News, Politics February 27, 2025

Bullying on rise beyond our borders thanks to ‘odious’ American president, says MLA

As NWT Assembly marks Pink Shirt Day, calls made to speak up for equality and acceptance of everyone


Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland issued a statement on Pink Shirt Day about how important it is for everyone to feel safe and accepted for who they are. “By wearing pink, we promote safe environments, free from bullying and harassment, for everyone. It is a call to take…

Featured, History, News, Politics, Reconciliation February 26, 2025

Ancestral remains at Fort Resolution residential school site can’t be moved

Process to update Archeological Sites Act is underway; but family of girl whose remains are in gravesite want to hold proper burial


The elderly sister of a young girl who died while at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school at Fort Resolution is desperate to honour a promise she made to their mother. That was to have the young girl’s remains exhumed, to be re-interred beside her mother gravesite at Fort Smith. However,…

Featured, News, Politics February 24, 2025

Ottawa provides $7M for Indigenous-led protected and conserved areas

Canada–NWT Nature Agreement promises to advance nature-related priorities in collaboration with Indigenous governments


Ottawa and the GNWT today announced the Canada–Northwest Territories Nature Agreement, designed to advance nature-related priorities, in collaboration with Indigenous governments, across the territory. The two levels of government have agreed to an initial investment of $7 million in the fiscal year 2025–2026. The agreement will be supported by up…

Featured, News, Politics February 19, 2025

Traditional activities, lower taxes could provide cover in Trump’s threatened trade war, say NWT leaders

‘This is … an unhinged U.S. president who is forgetting who his friends are and turning them into enemies,’ says MLA Kieron Testart


U.S. President Donald Trump has a callous heart and he should be ashamed of himself for threatening what would be an illegal trade war with Canada. That’s what some NWT political leaders had to say on Denendeh Sunrise on Wednesday about Trump’s tariff threats, which are in limbo until the…

Featured, News, Politics February 14, 2025

Three MLAs stand up to cabinet, say they aren’t being listened to

'We are going to save our consensus government system and keep the NWT strong and free,' says MLA Kieron Testart


“We’re here to set the record straight. We’re here to save the consensus government. The future of the NWT has never been under such a great threat.” – Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart A trio of MLAs that are fed up with the performance of Premier R.J. Simpson and his…

Featured, News, Politics February 13, 2025

‘Monumental accomplishment for Indigenous peoples; the GNWT honoured to be part of it.”

Our Land for the Future agreement funding by partners anticipated to flow by mid-year, says Minister Jay Macdonald


One of the most significant achievements of 2024 for Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald was the finalization of the Our Land for the Future agreement. The funding, $300 million from the Government of Canada and $75 million from private donors is now expected to start flowing by the…

Featured, News, Politics February 12, 2025

‘Why is our Indigenous population subject to these deplorable conditions?’

Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo says despite years of complaints, medical travel patients still end up at Yellowknife’s Quality Inn


Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler again faced questions about complaints from community residents placed at a certain Yellowknife hotel for medical travel. Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo reminded the Minister that he stood in the NWT one year ago to raise the same concerns over the downtown Quality…

Featured, News, Politics February 11, 2025

Questions fly over health-care ‘czar,’ future of learning centres 

Ministers Semmler and Cleveland pressed for answers in NWT Assembly on two issues of concern to many communities


The unilateral decision by the Aurora College board of directors to close all 19 Community Learning Centres has left some employees in emotional turmoil. Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo was critical of the move, which came without consultation. “There are some employees who broke down in tears because of the…

Featured, News, Politics February 9, 2025

Community Learning Centre closures decried by Regular MLAs

Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong says there was no consultation about the end of the program


Several Regular MLAs schooled Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland in the NWT Assembly last week on the ramifications of Aurora College’s recent decision to close all Community Learning Centres. Aurora College is closing 19 Community Learning Centres located mostly in smaller communities across the NWT as of June 30. Monfwi MLA…