Actions and Commitments:
Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of Northwest Territories"
Updates on this page: 66
April 1, 2024
Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation celebrating seven years
APTN News: Healing can happen in the bush. So says the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation of Yellowknife, which is celebrating seven years of operation. Its land-based camp has been helping Métis, Inuit and Dene clients from remote communities in three territories who are struggling with addiction. “Four hours sometimes I spend with one person,” says Dene-Métis...
March 6, 2024
Indigenous athletes get ready to compete in 2024 Arctic Winter Games
The 2024 Arctic Winter Games will take place in Mat-Su, Alaska, from March 10 to 16. APTN News: The 2024 Arctic Winter Games is just days away, and that means young Indigenous athletes are getting their final practises in before heading to the North’s most prestigious sporting event. On March 9, Team Yukon will head...
February 23, 2024
Lesa Semmler: Weaving Our Wisdom
NationTalk: Mr. Speaker, last week the Department of Health and Social Services hosted the second ever Weaving our Wisdom Gathering, for which 350 wellness leaders, Elders, and knowledge holders from across the Northwest Territories, came together to celebrate and share Indigenous community-driven wellness knowledge. The gathering featured inspiring guest speakers, workshops, and facilitated discussions on...
February 1, 2024
Everyone has a role in strengthening Indigenous languages this month
NationTalk: February is Indigenous Languages Month in the Northwest Territories. Indigenous languages are the foundation of the territory’s identity, pride, and community. This month, help support Indigenous language revitalization and ask everyone to “say it in our languages” to encourage them to speak Indigenous languages with pride. The loss of Indigenous languages is an ongoing...
October 24, 2023
Demand for Indigenous healing work helping to decolonize health-care system
APTN News: Julie Lys says that working a hide is akin to the healing process. It starts rough around the edges, but when tended to, it’s transformed. “In the western world medicine world, we can conceptualize everything, but you kind of keep your feelings [to yourself] and your spirit is not acknowledged,” says Lys, a...
October 5, 2023
Monument for MMIWG unveiled in Yellowknife
APTN News: A large crowd gathered in Yellowknife to witness the unveiling of a new monument honouring those lives lost and the lives that continue to be lost. The ceremony took place outside the legislative assembly of the Northwest Territories as part of the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and...
August 1, 2023
Calgary Indigenous healing lodge to offer programs to NWT residents
A photo shared to Facebook of the Sunrise Healing Lodge. Sunrise Healing Lodge Society/Facebook. NationTalk: CabinRadio – Northwest Territories residents wanting to attend an addictions treatment facility will now have access to Indigenous-based programming. The territorial government said Tuesday it is partnering with Sunrise Healing Lodge to expand treatment options available to residents. The Calgary-based...
July 31, 2023
Access to skilled trades training and certification has improved according to new GNWT report
NationTalk: Access to skilled trades training and certification has improved, according to the final report on the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupational Certification Strategy 2017-2022 (Strategy). The final report measures success in advancing and implementing the objectives, in accordance with the Strategy’s Performance Measurement Plan. Highlights include: Quote(s): “There is and will continue to be a high demand for...
July 25, 2023
Announcement of funding for Urban Inuvialuit to access Early Childhood Programs.
NationTalk: The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) is pleased to announce that Inuvialuit Beneficiaries living in Urban centers outside of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), can now apply for funding under the Inuvialuit Early Childhood Program to assist with Childcare costs. The Inuvialuit Early Childhood Program will provide funding that is universally accessible to Inuit Beneficiaries...
July 14, 2023
Dene Wellness Warriors seek to build NWT trauma healing lodge
A group that provides therapy and trains Indigenous counsellors hopes to establish a new trauma healing lodge in the Northwest Territories. Ollie Williams· Roy Erasmus at a Northern Indigenous Counselling Program graduation ceremony in 2022. Emily Blake/Cabin Radio Dene Wellness Warriors, founded by Roy and Jean Erasmus, introduced an Indigenous counselling diploma program to the North three...
July 7, 2023
Ben & Jerry’s Land Back tweet on Canada Day gets praise from First Nations people
Others called for boycott of ice cream company after tweet says Canada is on stolen land CBC News: Ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s is being praised by many First Nations people in Canada for a tweet supporting the #LandBack movement on Canada Day. The tweet from the Canadian branch of the company read: “Another day...
July 6, 2023
GNWT releases What We Heard Report on Missing Persons Legislation
NationTalk: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its What We Heard Report on Missing Persons Legislation. The What We Heard report provides a high-level summary of the input received from the public engagement with NWT residents from June 16th to July 25th, 2022. The report has been compiled to provide an understanding of the...
June 20, 2023
Government of the Northwest Territories Waives Change of Name Fee for Indigenous Residents of the NWT
NationTalk: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced today that it will waive the change of name fee for Indigenous residents of the NWT on an ongoing basis. Waiving the change of name for residential school survivors and their families advances the GNWT’s commitment to improve the lives of Indigenous residents and help further...
April 26, 2023
Four-week intensive pilot program wrapped up in Inuvik last Friday
CBC News: These days, Julie Beaver sees all the photos and videos she has of her father in a new light. Fresh from the first boot camp ever held by the new Northern Journalism Training Initiative, she’s looking at a world of possibilities for all the stories she’s wanted to tell, but hasn’t known how until...
April 4, 2023
Cdn. Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Releases Health Human Resources Assessment Report
NationTalk: Ottawa – Today, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) released its report on health human resources (HHR) in Canada. The report, titled “Canada’s Health Workforce: Pathways Forward”, provides key findings designed to inform stakeholders (including governments). The report provides evidence-informed approaches to addressing the current challenges facing the Canadian health workforce. The three...
March 30, 2023
N.W.T. introduces bill to implement UNDRIP
Getting the bill before MLAs was three years in the making and N.W.T. leaders say it’s just the start CBC News: N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane says a new act about Indigenous rights “gives teeth” to laws requiring the territorial government to consult with Indigenous groups. On Wednesday, the N.W.T. government introduced an act that would...
March 29, 2023
New daycare in Fort Smith, N.W.T., opens with focus on culture and life skills
Daycare already has waitlist of more than 30 CBC News: The manager for a new daycare in Fort Smith, N.W.T., says she has a plan to connect kids with elders, culture and community. The Fort Smith Métis Daycare, which officially opened its doors on March 6, was two years in the making — a project...
March 16, 2023
MP Michael Mcleod announces over $1 million in funding for the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation and the Northern Mosaic Network
NationTalk: Women and Gender Equality Canada – The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlighted the underlying systemic causes of ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The COVID-19 pandemic also created unprecedented challenges for victims and survivors seeking help and the frontline organizations that support them. Today, Michael...
March 6, 2023
R.J. Simpson: Aurora College Board of Governors
NationTalk: Mr. Speaker, at long last, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the members of the new Aurora College Board of Governors have been selected. I would like to welcome and congratulate the following individuals on their appointments: Joseph Handley of Yellowknife; Lorraine Tordiff of Fort Smith; Lucy Kuptana of Tuktoyaktuk; Rebecca Plotner...
March 5, 2023
National Inuit organization, RCMP start work to prevent human trafficking
‘When Inuit women move south, they are at risk’ — Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada president CBC News: The national organization representing Inuit says it’s ready to start working with the RCMP to protect Inuit from human trafficking networks — especially in southern communities where they are more vulnerable. Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit...
February 15, 2023
Indigenous patient advocates start work next week in the N.W.T.
Health minister also announces a new office of client experience CBC News: N.W.T. Health Minister Julie Green has announced that the Indigenous Patient Advocates program has launched. Green announced the program’s start in the legislature Tuesday and told members the program will help Indigenous residents and their families access cultural, spiritual, emotional and language supports. ...
February 11, 2023
As more high schools add Indigenous- focused compulsory courses, some warn against a siloed approach
‘Reconciliation will only exist … when we see it in every aspect of a student’s experience,’ says professor CBC News: As a Shakespeare fan who loves sharing his work with students, Windsor, Ont., English teacher Carolyn Howlett admits she felt a bit apprehensive when her board began work shifting its Grade 11 English course to focus...
February 9, 2023
Have your say on the NWT’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
NationTalk: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking input from Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, residential school survivors, including survivors of intergenerational trauma, and residents of the NWT to explore how to best acknowledge and support the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in future years. The GNWT looks forward to learning what role...
February 2, 2023
New journalism training initiative launches in the N.T.
NationTalk: YELLOWKNIFE, NT – The Northern Journalism Training Initiative [NJTI] and Journalists for Human Rights [JHR] are proud to announce a new partnership and program designed by and for northerners in the Northwest Territories, with support from the Google News Initiative. NJTI is an emerging training and work placement program for northerners to build their multimedia...
February 2, 2023
GNWT pilots Northern Studies 30 course and treaty simulations in NWT schools
NationTalk: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is piloting Northern Studies 30, a Northwest Territories (NWT) high school course that focuses on land, governance, wellness and reconciliation. Small-scale pilots of Northern Studies 30 began in various NWT schools starting this month. It is a made-in-the-NWT curriculum that is based on engagement with Indigenous Governments...
January 26, 2023
Youth-led House of Hope in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., sparks healing, friendships and connection
CBC News: There’s a pleasant buzz of noise as youths, elders and other community members bustle around the House of Hope in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. Some of them are baking and cooking in the kitchen. Others sew, play cards, strum guitars and chat with each other. For Nathan Kuptana, it’s a world of difference from where...
December 16, 2022
Almost $500K will help Ulukhaktok women’s society protect Inuit
A women’s society formed in Ulukhaktok last year is set to receive almost half a million dollars in federal funding as it works to create a shelter and more supports for Inuit families. Cabin Radio: Janine Harvey, executive director of the Tahiuqtiit Women’s Society, said the funding was a “massive accomplishment” for the community and...
November 16, 2022
Province to boost Indigenous representation in new employment plan
Every department and agency in the territory are expected to meet the plan’s goals NationTalk: HRD (Human Resource Director): The government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) has rolled out an action plan to boost Indigenous representation in the public sector. The Indigenous Employment Plan (IEP) outlines short-, medium-, and long-term goals, as well as specific actions...
November 14, 2022
GNWT releases workplan for procurement improvements
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released a workplan that outlines the activities the GNWT will undertake over the next twelve months to improve procurement processes and practices by the end of the 19th Legislative Assembly. The workplan is separated into key categories: administrative updates that include tasks to make it easier to do business...
November 9, 2022
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence a significant step towards gender equality
Pictou County, Nova Scotia – Women and Gender Equality Canada Living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right, but gender‑based violence (GBV) continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in Canada. It is one of the most pervasive, deadly, and deeply rooted human rights violations of our time. Federal,...
November 7, 2022
GNWT finalizes action plan in response to the Calls for Justice on MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
NationTalk: Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, tabled the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) action plan in Response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. The action plan, Changing the Relationship, aims to dismantle colonialism and racial and gendered discrimination from all levels of...
October 26, 2022
GNWT releases report on history of NWT education facilities including residential schools, day schools and residences
To support the work of reconciliation and healing within Indigenous communities, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released a report that provides a summary of educational facilities, including residential schools, day schools and residences, in the Northwest Territories (NWT) from 1862 to 2021. Sorting information by community, the Report on the History of NWT...
September 12, 2022
IRC regional suicide prevention strategy titled Aulaqatigiikta, Ilumun Ikayuqatigiikluta (Moving Forward, Healing Together)
Aulaqatigiikta, Ilumun Ikayuqatigiikluta (Moving Forward, Healing Together) – Inuvialuit Settlement Region Suicide Prevention Strategy NationTalk: The strategy and its powerful title was created through listening to front-line staff, Elders, leadership and community members, who shared their stories, concerns and ideas on how to address suicide in the region. IRC is committed to implementing this strategy...
July 26, 2022
What We Heard Report released on proposed amendments to the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act.
NationTalk: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its What We Heard Report on proposed amendments to the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act. The department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) invited Indigenous Governments, Francophone organizations, Language Board representatives and the public to provide their feedback on the proposed amendments. These amendments seek...
July 18, 2022
Government of Canada invests $17.7M over 3 years through Canada–Northwest Territories Agreement on Indigenous Languages
Today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, announced the Government of Canada’s investment of $17,700,000 over three years (2021–22 to 2023–24) through the Canada–Northwest Territories Agreement on Indigenous Languages. The Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories recognize the importance of Canada’s sustained support for the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain...
July 11, 2022
AFN Calls For First Ministers Meeting on UNDRIP at Council of The Federation
Assembly of First Nations: BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee issued the following statement after a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers today in advance of the Council of the Federation meeting taking place later today in Victoria, BC. “It is important for First Nations to meet with premiers on priorities and initiatives that impact our...
July 6, 2022
Government of Northwest Territories: Update on Education Act Modernization
NationTalk: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is re-engaging with Indigenous Governments and education bodies on proposed technical amendments to the Education Act, following engagement that took place in the summer of 2021. Guided by engagements with Indigenous Governments, education leaders, the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association, parents,...
June 29, 2022
$2.3M in funding to Gwich’in Wellness Camp
Crown−Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: Investing in culturally appropriate and inclusive spaces is crucial to addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals. Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, and Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik of Gwich’in Tribal Council announced $2.3 million in funding for the renovation...
April 5, 2022
NWT to amend Child and Family Services Act to align with Bill C-92 “Child Welfare Act”
The Department of Health and Social Services is seeking feedback from Indigenous governments, organizations that work with children, youth and families at risk as well as the public on proposed key elements that will inform amendments to the Child and Family Services Act. The amendments are intended to align the NWT’s Child and Family Services...
February 11, 2022
Plans to increase Indigenous representation in NWT government
CabinRadio: Multi-year plans to increase Indigenous representation in the NWT government are set to be made public by the end of March. Each GNWT department is expected to create plans that set three-year, five-year and 10-year targets for Indigenous recruitment and retention, part of an overarching initiative introduced in November last year. Senior staff at the Department of...
January 6, 2022
Opposition to Gladue Reports
Cabin Radio – Gladue reports are not used and the territorial government says it is not considering using them any time soon. Instead, “Gladue factors” are often incorporated into other forms of pre-sentencing report or presented as evidence by defence lawyers during sentencing and bail hearings. Justice minister RJ Simpson said that while Gladue reports...
December 10, 2021
What We Heard Report: NWT K-12 Curriculum Renewal
“What We Heard Report: NWT Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Curriculum Renewal” presents the findings from an engagement and consultation process into the renewal of the Northwest Territories (NWT) Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (JK-12) school curriculum and possibilities for a western provincial partnership. The Government of the NWT (GNWT) is committed to implementing the...
December 9, 2021
“What We Heard Report” on modernizing the Education Act
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has released a “What We Heard Report” that presents the findings from the first round of engagement on modernizing the Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Act. Some of the themes ECE heard are to further involve, enable and empower Indigenous and local community governments to take part in...
December 9, 2021
“What We Heard Report: Education Act Modernization”
The Discussion Paper “What We Heard Report: Education Act Modernization” identified three current challenges and considerations related to the effective development and implementation of language and culture programs in schools. These challenges helped to frame the engagement sessions and the questions asked in surveys. Legislative: A lack of regulatory guidance to follow in establishing and...
December 8, 2021
Changing the Relationship: Draft Action Plan
The territory’s 150-page plan, titled Changing the Relationship, details 93 actions the territorial government plans to take to address colonialism and racial and gendered discrimination in its departments, agencies, and policies. Outcomes listed in the plan include improving the territory’s relationship with Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people by establishing trust and accountability and focusing...
July 12, 2021
Sacred Heart Residential School
APTN – Fort Providence used ground-penetrating radar in ’90s to locate cemetery containing 300 bodies, of which 161 were kids who attended Sacred Heart Residential School in Zhahti Kue, also known as Fort Providence, N.W.T....
July 12, 2021
Aurora College
Federal Budget 2021 investment starting in 2021-22, to the Government of the Northwest Territories to support the transformation of Aurora College to a polytechnic university. As well as increasing access to post-secondary education for Northerners, this transformation will also advance the growth of research beneficial to Arctic and Northern communities and people, and all Canadians....
June 30, 2021
2021 Action Plan for Critical Incident Investigation Report Recommendations
That the Government of Northwest Territories implements a process to respond to patient and family concerns related to the care that they receive within the health care system. in partnership with communities, recruit and train Indigenous first responders, nurses, and physicians from within the communities and surrounding areas to decrease turnover and transiency, ensuring continuity...
June 30, 2021
Enhanced Indigenous staffing and services to Indigenous patients
“The GNWT is the primary healthcare service provider in the territory, and we are responsible for training all staff to deliver equitable and anti-racist service to all clients and patients…It is critically important for Indigenous people to be represented in adequate numbers across the healthcare system, beginning in post-secondary health education among staff and faculty...
June 30, 2021
2021 Action Plan for Critical Incident Investigation Report Recommendations
That the Government of Northwest Territories implements a process to respond to patient and family concerns related to the care that they receive within the health care system. in partnership with communities, recruit and train Indigenous first responders, nurses, and physicians from within the communities and surrounding areas to decrease turnover and transiency, ensuring continuity...
June 30, 2021
Action Plan for Critical Incident Investigation Report
Action Plan for Critical Incident Investigation Report 2021 Recommendations” including That the Government of Northwest Territories implements a process to respond to patient and family concerns related to the care that they receive within the health care system. in partnership with communities, recruit and train Indigenous first responders, nurses, and physicians from within the communities...
June 29, 2021
Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Program
Four recipients under the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Program Component of the Sport Support Program. In 2021–2023, $735,410 will be provided to the Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT to deliver sport for social development projects in Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories. In addition, $303,212 will be provided to Northern Youth Leadership, Northern Table...
June 29, 2021
Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting funding
Under the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program, $1.9 million will be directed to the Inuvialuit Communications Society, Native Communications Society of the N.W.T. and Norman Wells Land Corporation. Funding is being allocated over two years, providing operational stability for the production and broadcasting of culturally relevant radio and television...
June 6, 2021
Commitment to work with Indigenous leaders about what happened at the 14 schools
CBC – The territorial government says it is willing to work with Indigenous leaders to get to the truth about what may lie underground in the territory’s many former residential school locations. In the Northwest Territories there were 14 residential schools, run by church or state. In some communities, work has already been done to understand the...
December 2, 2020
The Intergovernmental Council adopts a Legislative Development Protocol
The Intergovernmental Council (IGC), comprised of leaders from nine Indigenous Governments and the Government of the Northwest Territories, unanimously agreed to adopt a Legislative Development Protocol that will guide future collaborative work on NWT land and resource legislation. A shared commitment to work together has been a hallmark of the NWT approach to the devolution...
October 25, 2019
Commitment to implement UNDRIP
The government of the Northwest Territories has committed to implementing UNDRIP within the constitutional framework of Canada as a legislative priority according to the following timeline: 1.a. Terms of Reference developed (Summer 2020); Working group with Indigenous governments established (Summer 2020); Implementation plan completed (Summer 2022); and Reporting on program changes provided (Ongoing) 1.b. Federal...
March 13, 2019
Review of Official Languages law
The law governing official languages in the Northwest Territories is ill-suited for the territory and ready for an overhaul during its upcoming review, the territory’s languages commissioner says. “We’re at that point,” said Shannon Gullberg, the languages commissioner. “We’ve been operating under a model that really mimics the federal model for a long time. “The federal legislation...
February 26, 2019
Signing of Declaration of Commitment
As part of the Department of Health and Social Services’ official release of the “Caring for Our People: Cultural Safety Action Plan 2018-2020” today, a Declaration of Commitment was signed to embed cultural safety within the Northwest Territories’ health and social services system. Through the implementation of the Cultural Safety Action Plan, the Government of the...
February 26, 2019
Caring for Our People – Cultural Safety Action Plan
The Government of the Northwest Territories has acknowledged the role that residential school policies have played in contributing to health disparities for Indigenous peoples. “Caring for Our People – Cultural Safety Action Plan” As part of the Department of Health and Social Services’ official release of the “Caring for Our People: Cultural Safety Action Plan...
February 26, 2019
Signing of Declaration of Commitment
As part of the Department of Health and Social Services’ official release of the “Caring for Our People: Cultural Safety Action Plan 2018-2020” today, a Declaration of Commitment was signed to embed cultural safety within the Northwest Territories’ health and social services system. Through the implementation of the Cultural Safety Action Plan, the Government of the...
October 23, 2018
Auditor-General Report
A report from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada tabled today in the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly concludes that the Department of Health and Social Services and the Health and Social Services Authorities did not meet key responsibilities for the protection and well-being of children, youth, and their families. This is the second...
October 1, 2018
Northwest Territories
Fees would be waived for “all Indigenous residents who wish to correct the names on their NWT birth certificates that were affected by historical errors.” Fees for certificates under the Vital Statistics Act can also be waived in the same manner. However, names using Indigenous glyphs and diacritics still cannot be chosen. (NWT Press Release...
July 20, 2017
Funding for Patient-Oriented Research Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials
The Governments of Canada, the Northwest Territories and its partners signed an agreement with the Tlicho Government to provide $24.9 million in funding and in-kind contributions to establish a NWT Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials (SUPPORT) Unit – Hotıì ts’eeda. This health research and training will be...
October 5, 2015
Meeting the Challenge of Reconciliation
The Government of the Northwest Territories supports the adoption of a child-first principle to resolve disputes involving the care of First Nations children, but notes that there is a single health and social services system throughout the NWT that does not have separate health and social services for on-reserve First Nations children and families. (Meeting...
2012
2011
Developed the first comprehensive teaching resource in Canada on the history of residential schools and their legacy. We have made this a mandatory requirement for graduation for all students attending high school in the NWT: mandatory module in Grade 10 Northern Studies (NWT) and Social Studies (NU) in 2012....
January 1, 1990
Official Languages Act
The Official Languages Act of the NWT recognizes 11 official languages, including 9 Aboriginal languages, 3 of them Inuit that have equality of status in the Legislative Assembly and NWT government institutions. The territorial government has created the Aboriginal Languages Secretariat. The NWT also has an Official Languages Policy, Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board Regulations, and an Aboriginal Languages Plan. The territory...