A draft interim range plan for boreal caribou in the Wek’èezhı̀ı region has been released for public comment.

This plan -- developed as a commitment under the environmental assessment for the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road -- incorporates Indigenous knowledge, lived experience, and scientific data to define which habitat is most important to caribou in the area. 

The range plan aims to answer some key questions within the Wek’èezhı̀ı region:

The Government of the Northwest Territories has identified three priorities for new waste management programming in the NWT.

These priorities are:

1. Used oil recycling programs
2. Expansion of electronics recycling
3. Used tire recycling program

Working with the Waste Resource Advisory Panel (WRAP) and the Waste Reduction and Recovery Advisory Committee (WRRAC), these priorities were identified after assessing the human and environmental health impacts of landfilling and the feasibility of diversion programming for various materials.

The FireSmart® Starts in Your Backyard contest is back – this time focusing on the Ingraham Trail.

The contest is meant to encourage folks to practice FireSmart® principles to reduce their risk of wildfire damage.

FireSmart® principles are proven to work – taking simple, often inexpensive, steps can help protect homes and cabins from wildfires – even if it reaches the property.

All Ingraham Trail residents and cabin owners are eligible for the contest.

Here’s how it works:

The Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program is providing $1.7 million in 2021/22 to support 28 monitoring and research projects. Funding recipients include Indigenous governments and organizations, universities and territorial and federal government departments.

Two cabins lost due to wildfire.

Two cabins on Little Doctor Lake outside of Fort Simpson were burned in a wildfire over the weekend.

Wildfire FS-019 was detected at Little Doctor Lake on Saturday, July 10. 

Due to extreme fire behaviour and heavy smoke, crews were unable to access the fire until Sunday, when crews discovered the two burned cabins.

The fire is currently 6500 hectares in size and is classified at out-of-control.

Muskox tags are now available for the 2021-2022 hunting season! There are 30 muskox tags available for Non-Resident (NR) and Non-resident Alien (NRA) hunters in Wildlife Management Zone U/MX/01. These tags can be used for either sex, and as per the regulations, there is mandatory harvest reporting for these tags.

The season runs from August 15- April 15.  Outfitters with licenses in good standing may be allocated up to 5 NR/NRA muskox tags.

For more information please contact wildlife@gov.nt.ca

A limited number of Outfitter Licences are now available for Unit U and R. You need this licence if you plan to provide equipment and guide services to people hunting big game, or if you expect to receive money, goods, or services in exchange for these services. The number of licences available are limited, and complete applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.

To apply, complete the attached application and include:

The results of the Legacy Arsenic Health and Human Risk Assessment will be presented via webinar on June 17, 2021.

This is the final stage of the Human Health Risk Assessment for arsenic in Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah.

A virtual public information session will share the results and what they mean for people wanting to enjoy the  land and water, including fishing, foraging and hunting.

The session will be held on Thursday, June 17th from 5:30 to 8pm. After a presentation, questions and answers from the public will be accepted.

Check against delivery 

Mr. Speaker, wildfire season is here and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, or ENR, and our dedicated wildfire management team are ready.

Today, I would like to provide an update on what ENR has done to get ready for the 2021 fire season, and the role residents and communities across the Northwest Territories have in preventing wildfires.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, the recent floods have been devastating for many Northerners who have experienced damage to their community, property and to their livelihoods. 

I witnessed the anxiety and stress in the voices and faces of people in my own community as water levels rose and homes and businesses were threatened and many were affected.

In the face of this adversity, I also saw firsthand how communities, leaders and Northerners can rise to meet challenges they must overcome.