The 9th Annual Arctic Anglers Family Fishing Derby is happening April 3–5, 2026, on Prelude Lake!
This fun, family-friendly, 100% catch-and-release event celebrates our northern fishing traditions while promoting conservation and time outdoors. This year, all proceeds will support Home Base YK.
Created in 2017, the derby’s mission is to get families and children fishing and enjoying the outdoors.
The Fire Danger system in the NWT is moving to a five-step expression of fire danger level to align with other Canadian agencies, and provide stronger guidance to residents and land-users.
The new system adds another level of fire danger – Very High – between high and extreme. This provides for clearer guidance for residents – ensuring the “Extreme” fire danger level is now reserved for the most severe conditions.
The applications for Take a Kid Trapping funding are open. Apply today for funding to help your organization get more kids out on the land!
Schools, Indigenous governments, and Indigenous organizations can apply for funding for specific projects.
Through Take a Kid Trapping events, kids can learn a range of valuable skills from trapping, setting fish nets, hunting, or cooking outdoors to essential knowledge in firearm safety and proper methods of preparing pelts for market. These activities not only preserve traditional life skills but also teach sustainable practices.
Applications for Muskox tags are being accepted for the 2026-27 hunting season starting April 1, 2026. Northwest Territories residents with a Resident Hunting Licence will be able to apply for muskox tags in the Sahtu and North Slave zones. Applications can be obtained at your regional Environment and Climate Change office. All applications must be postmarked before May 15, 2026.
The draw will take place on May 29, 2026, and winners will be contacted during the first week of June.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is looking for feedback on the draft Wek’èezhìı Boreal Caribou Range Plan.
The draft range plan outlines a coordinated approach to maintaining and restoring boreal caribou habitat in the Wek’èezhìı region. Boreal caribou are listed as Threatened in the Northwest Territories under both federal and territorial Species at Risk legislation.
As Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine marks its final production this week, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is recognizing its lasting impact while looking to the future of the territory’s economy and workforce.
Dumping garbage, appliances, or construction materials on public land damages the environment, creates safety hazards for wildlife, and is illegal under territorial legislation.
The penalty for illegally discharging contaminants in the Northwest Territories can include a fine of up to $300,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.
Do the right thing:
Two cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as bird flu, have been confirmed in common ravens in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, as part of ongoing monitoring for HPAI in NWT wildlife.
Testing identified the H5 strain of HPAI, which is highly infectious among birds. These appear to be isolated cases, and the risk to birds and other wildlife remains low.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, as the 2026 wildfire season approaches, I would like to provide an update on our government’s continued investments in wildfire preparedness and resilience across the Northwest Territories.
Building wildfire resilience means investing in our communities so our people can live safely with wildfire and be ready for emergencies.
Applications are open for the Tundra Science and Culture Camp. This is an immersive, educational program for high-school-aged students, and educators, from the NWT.
The program is delivered by leaders in Indigenous culture and environmental science who collaborate to provide a unique, on-the-tundra cultural and multidisciplinary learning experience. These leaders include Tłı̨chǫ elders, GNWT experts and educators in their fields, environmental stewards, and on-site graduate student researchers.
