Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement today in response to the latest drinking water test results from NWT schools:

“As a parent, a lifelong resident of the Northwest Territories, and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I remain deeply concerned by the test results showing elevated lead levels in drinking water fixtures at schools in our territory.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife. Testing has confirmed that some drinking water fixtures show lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order for the school.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment’s (ECE) North Slave Regional and Community Service Centres in Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀’s office hours will change starting Wednesday, December 3. Both offices will be open to the public Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah. Testing has confirmed that some water fixtures show lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order for the school.

Effective immediately, all water fixtures and the water fountain at Kaw Tay Whee School will be out of service.

Education Leaders from across the Northwest Territories met on November 17, 2025, for the first in-person Education Leaders’ meeting of the 2025–2026 school year. The group includes Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Board Chairs from all Northwest Territories’  District Education Authorities and Divisional Education Councils, including Education Leaders Forum Chair Barbara Bell (Yellowknife Education District No.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program has closed its 2025 intake. The program has received enough applications to fill its nomination cap of 300 allocated by the Government of Canada.

Applicants will be notified by email if their applications will be assessed or withdrawn.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program will reopen in 2026. An announcement with additional information will be made at a later date.

Apply now for the Indigenous Language Revitalization Scholarship!

A total of ten scholarships valued at $5,000 each will be awarded to eligible NWT students enrolled in certificate, diploma or degree programs that support Indigenous language revitalization during the 2025-26 school year.

Priority will be given to NWT students enrolled in programs offered by accredited post-secondary institutions.

The application deadline is December 1, 2025 at 5 pm.

The third 2025 intake of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program opens on November 10 at 9 a.m. These additional spots come following extensive advocacy work by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), leading to the Government of Canada’s decision earlier this month to restore the territory’s yearly full allocation of 300 nominations.

November 2 to 8 marks National Skilled Trades and Technology Week, a time to celebrate and raise awareness of career opportunities in skilled trades and technology across the country and here in the Northwest Territories. In recognition of this week, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) congratulates to the recipients of the 2024–2025 Apprenticeship, Trade, and Occupation Certification Awards.

This year, 30 apprentices and 33 journeypersons across 12 trades are being recognized for top marks and outstanding achievement in their training or Red Seal certification.

The attached is being distributed on behalf of the Northwest Territories Literacy Council and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)