Reconciliation

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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


Three days in Dettah: Dene Nation calls for less talk, more action on key issues

Dene National Assembly heard about drug dealers maiming indebted addicts, poor relations with the GNWT and outside threats to the water system


Delegates to the 54th Dene National Assembly came prepared to tackle the toughest issues dragging their communities down. Many demanded less talk and more action to rid communities of drug dealers, get a better command of the organization’s finances and get the remaining land claims agreements over the finish line….


NWT diamond mines: ‘Billions of dollars being made … we got nothing to show for it.’

Łutsel K'e Coun. John Catholique tells Kimberlite Conference any future mine deals must be fairer, or 'nothing's going to happen'


Diamonds are considered to be the universal symbol of love and wealth. But after nearly three decades of watching massive diamond mines blast deep into its traditional hunting grounds, the Łutselk’è Dene First Nation feels slighted, as it has little to show for agreeing to the drilling in the 1990’s….


City open to ‘homeless encampments’ on public land, says Mayor Rebecca Alty

Social advocate Georgina Franki says new tent platform on Commissioner’s land at Niven Lake a good place to start


More homeless encampments could be popping up in Yellowknife, as city officials are in discussions with their GNWT counterparts over how to handle the increased number of street-involved people here this summer. There are already tents in clusters on the west loop of the Frame Lake Trail and a large…


Road to NorZinc mine could unleash $8 billion in Dehcho over 20 years

‘Together, we can advance our goals, fostering a future that honours our past while building a stronger, more sustainable tomorrow,’ says Chief Kele Antione


A 170-kilometre all-season road to a zinc mine in the Dehcho region will take two years to build and cost roughly $256 million. Ultimately the privately held NorZinc Ltd., could generate $8 billion of high-grade zinc concentrate over the next 20 years, meaning employment and business opportunities for Indigenous people…


Happy Inuvialuit Day! 40 years and counting …

'We never really ever had a voice until our Final Agreement.,' says Elder Albert Ruben


Wednesday marked the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, There are six communities within the Inuvialuit settlement region, in the Northwest Territories: Tuktoyaktuk; Aklavik; Sachs Harbour; Ulukhaktok; and Paulatuk; and Inuvik. Inuvialuit also mark the success of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and its Development Corporation. The latter…