Today, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement for Pink Shirt Day:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and accepted for who they are, even though we know that not everyone has had that experience. Today is Pink Shirt Day, where wearing pink means you’re showing support for safe environments, free from bullying and harassment.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Moose Kerr School (MKS) in Aklavik, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Regional High School (LKRHS) in Fort Simpson, the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Student Residences (LKSR) in Fort Simpson and Chief Paul Niditchie School (CPNS) in Tsiigehtchic.
MKS, PNS, LKRHS and the LKSR testing has confirmed that some water fixtures show lead levels above the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC). As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order for these facilities.
Language learners and speakers from across the NWT gathered this week in Yellowknife for the annual Mentor-Apprentice Program gathering to celebrate the achievements of the 2025–26 cohort.
The nine-month program pairs fluent Indigenous language speakers with apprentices for 200 hours of one-on-one learning. The program gives apprentices the chance to strengthen fluency, gain confidence, and use their language in everyday life, while giving mentors the opportunity to pass their knowledge and language on to the next generation.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker,
Following portion will be spoken in Dëne Sųłıné
[Dëne Dedlıne Ts’ı̨ɂáné Beyatı Za Neba Huzų Nıdé!]
Media are invited to attend the 2025-26 Mentor-Apprentice Program gathering, which honours program participants who completed up to 200 hours of one-on-one language learning over the past nine months.
Media opportunities:
“Yesterday’s announcement from the Government of Canada extending funding for the Inuit Child First Initiative is a welcome signal that the federal government understands how important these supports are for Inuit children and families. Any extension that brings greater certainty in the short term is better than leaving families, educators, and service providers in limbo, and I appreciate the recognition that these programs matter.
Correction: A previous version of this news release incorrectly stated that applications invited through the Expression of Interest draws would be assessed in order of work permit expiry date. The correct process is that invited applications will be assessed in the order they are received.
The Northwest Territories (NWT) Nominee Program’s Employer-Driven and Francophone streams will open on March 9, 2026, at 9 a.m. MST.
The attached PDF is being distributed on behalf of Home Base Yellowknife, Yellowknife Education District No. 1, Yellowknife Catholic Schools, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Media are invited to a news conference announcing the 2026 opening of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program’s Employer-Driven and Francophone streams.
Details will include the 2026 opening date and time, the release of the What We Heard report, and changes to the Employer-Driven Stream.
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. MST
Location: Great Hall, Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly (Yellowknife)
Media are invited to attend the announcement of the Home Base Stabilization Education Program (STEP), a collaborative initiative between Home Base Yellowknife, Yellowknife Education District No. 1, Yellowknife Catholic Schools, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Operating within Home Base Yellowknife, the program is designed for youth across the Northwest Territories (NWT) whose complex needs — including trauma, housing instability, mental health challenges, and substance use — make it difficult to succeed in traditional school settings.
