The GNWT is asking for public feedback on how the Community Harvesters Assistance Program (CHAP) and Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program (GMVF) that were created to support traditional harvesting and trapping activities across the NWT can be improved.  Evaluating CHAP and GMVF fulfills an action item in the ENR Sustainable Livelihoods Action Plan.  This was an action identified as important by over 18 communities during engagement on the creation of the action plan. 

How to Participate:

YELLOWKNIFE (April 23, 2021) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is urging residents to take action today to prepare their homes, cabins, and properties due to flood risks across the NWT. 

This comes as the latest snow surveys and information on water level and flow rate show above average snowpack levels in many regions and confirms higher-than-normal water levels and flow in nearly every region.

With the Bathurst Caribou herd in real trouble, governments, communities, and harvesters are taking action to build a sustainable future for the herd. 

The Bathurst Caribou Management Plan will chart that path to sustainability.

A draft is ready – and the Bathurst Caribou Advisory Committee is looking for your contributions to make sure we end up with the best possible plan.  

How to Participate:

13 sharing sessions will be held with leadership, harvesters, and traditional knowledge-holders selected by local leadership.

Do you have an idea for how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in your community, but need some financial support?

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) is accepting applications for the Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative.

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Mr. Speaker, the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, guided by the Aboriginal Steering Committee, represents a shared path forward for water stewardship and preservation with NWT residents and water partners.  Water partners such as Indigenous, federal and territorial governments, non-government organizations, research institutions and universities,  regulatory boards, communities and industry work together under the strategy to ensure our water remains clean and safe for future generations.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is advising the public of unprecedented high water levels and the potential for flooding on rivers and streams across the territory this spring.

Based on current data, flow rates on the Slave, Tazin and Taltson Rivers, along with water levels in the Great Slave Lake are very high for this time of year.

Because conditions are unprecedented, it is difficult to predict exactly what will happen this spring. Local conditions will depend on:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is raising the alarm after a report of a dangerous invasive species being found in moss balls sold in the NWT.

Moss balls, often sold as Marimo moss balls, are green algae commonly used to increase water quality in aquariums.

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Mr. Speaker, caribou have sustained generations of Northerners across the Northwest Territories.

They are deeply tied to the NWT’s society and culture. Communities have always relied on them for food, hides and traditional practices.

But today, some herds have seen major declines. They continue to face challenges including climate change, habitat change, predators and human activity.

A team of hydrological experts from the Government of the Northwest Territories, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Global Water Futures program from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as representatives from the Government of Alberta and BC Hydro are helping to shed light on the driving factors behind high water levels on Great Slave Lake.

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Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has affected us all and the pandemic has highlighted why meeting these mandate commitments are so important. As global supply chains have been disrupted and economic activity has been restricted, the need for locally sourced food has become even more valuable.

Northern harvesters and trappers have been deeply impacted by COVID-19. Their economic livelihoods have been affected, which is an important part of northern culture. That is why now, more than ever, we need to support harvesting and land-based programs.