Reconciliation

Art, Education, Environment, Featured, History, News, Reconciliation November 5, 2024

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…

Featured, News, Reconciliation November 4, 2024

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…

Featured, Housing, News, Police, Reconciliation, Wildfires November 1, 2024

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,…

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, 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, Reconciliation, Sports October 2, 2024

Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT rebrands as Indigenous Sports Circle Northwest Territories

'This change reflects our deep respect for the cultural identities and achievements of Indigenous athletes and communities,' says chairperson


A territorial sports organization has taken a “deliberate step towards inclusivity” with its new name and visual identity. The Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT marked its 25-year anniversary in the spring and will march into the future called Indigenous Sports Circle Northwest Territories. Angela Grandjambe is chair of the organization. “This…

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…

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…

Culture, Education, Featured, News, Reconciliation August 26, 2024

Indigenous languages in NWT receive $17.7 million over three years

‘We will continue to work with Indigenous people and governments to ensure Indigenous languages are protected, promoted and celebrated,’ says Minister Caitlin Cleveland


The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have signed a new Canada-Northwest Territories Agreement on Indigenous Languages from 2024-25 to 2026-27. Under the new agreement, $5.9 million will be invested per fiscal year, for a total of $17.7 million over three years. Caitlin Cleveland is the…

Culture, Featured, History, News, Reconciliation August 25, 2024

Behchokǫ̀ unveils Chief Mǫwfi statue, officially opens $14M cultural centre, offices

'Mǫwfi is a father figure to so many of us, and many of us are directly descended from him.' says Elder Alphonz Nitsiza


The rain stopped, the clouds parted and sun shone brightly down on the bronze statue of legendary Chief Mǫwfi — revealed after years delays from a pandemic and then wildfires — to the delight of the assembled crowd. A rainy and cool community of Behchokǫ̀ had set up tents and…