Reconciliation

A $375M generational plan for Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship and economic development across the NWT

'We will take care of the land, the water, the animals, the plant life, and also take care of our communities and our people,' says Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty


Drummers, woodsmoke and dancing helped usher in an historic $375 million agreement in Behchokǫ̀ that will fund Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and economic development across the Northwest Territories. Known as NWT: Our Land for the Future, one of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives in the world promises to create transformative…


‘Who’s helping us to recover, emotionally, physically, spiritually, in all ways?’

Raw emotions on display from Behchokǫ̀ residents at after-action review open house of 2023 wildfire emergency response


Forty people gathered at tables in a school gymnasium in Behchokǫ̀ on Wednesday night, sharing stories of resilience, confusion and anger over the 2023 wildfire season. Repeated themes were the absent, slow or confusing communications from the GNWT, and a lack of help for evacuees when returning home after 10…


Massive $375M Indigenous-led conservation partnership set to be signed in Behchokǫ̀

Project Finance for Permanence to create long-term protection and stewardship of lands and waters across the NWT


One of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives in the world is set to be celebrated on Thursday in Behchokǫ̀, with $375 million in funding from various sources. This work, occurring under the name Northwest Territories Project Finance for Permanence (NWT PFP) brings governments and the philanthropic community together to…


Indigenous filmmakers shine at Yellowknife International Film Festival

Dene hunting knowledge, Behchokǫ̀ wildfire evacuation, climate change and language revitalization a few of the topics explored


aRTLeSS Collective won the NWT Film Commission’s Northern Filmmaker Award for Behchokǫ̀ Evacuation: Strength and Resilience in the Face of Fire on the final night of the 2024 Yellowknife International Film Festival. The documentary tells the story of nearly 2,000 Tłı̨chǫ citizens who, in the summer of 2023, were evacuated…


Team working on Dehcho Process question having to deal with GNWT

'It's really difficult dealing with them … the territorial government,’ says Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian


The territorial government is being blamed for delaying a process that would provide the Dehcho people with control over 50,000 square kilometres of surface and subsurface lands hugging the Mackenzie River, creating a new jurisdiction called Dehcho Ndehe. In a virtual town hall last week, the Dehcho Process negotiating team…


New Inuit toonie celebrates four-region northern unity

A Royal Canadian Mint first sees multiple artists on same coin, representing all areas of Inuit Nunangat, or homeland


The distinct ways of life and culture of the Inuit Nunangat are represented in a new $2 commemorative circulation coin out this week. The Royal Canadian Mint’s new toonie symbolizes Inuit unity through the four artists’ joint representation of the story of Nuliajuk — spirit of the sea — and…


Justice Murray Sinclair’s passing ‘leaves a gaping hole in our hearts’

Indigenous lawyer, judge and senator from Manitoba exposed racial injustice through Truth and Reconciliation Commission


Murray Sinclair, the groundbreaking Indigenous lawyer, judge and senator who led inquiries that exposed racial injustice and redefined how Canadians see Indian residential schools, has died. He was 73. Sinclair, whose spirit name is Mizhana Gheezhik (The One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky), died early Monday morning at…


Police now work with housing officials to oust traffickers, rowdy tenants from public housing units

After years of complaints and pleas for help from MLAs and tenants, the RCMP now helps local officials build their case for evictions


In an effort to deal with an increase of drug use and sales in public housing across the NWT, the RCMP has started to share information with local housing organizations to help expedite rental office hearings. Criminality in public housing units has long been a sore spot with Regular MLAs,…


‘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…


‘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…