Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today regarding interim Cabinet arrangements:

“Earlier today, Minister Lucy Kuptana advised me that she has decided to seek election as Chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

“I respect her decision to pursue this opportunity. At the same time, it is important that the Government of the Northwest Territories carries out its work in a way that does not influence, and is not perceived to influence, external governance processes.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has created new Northwest Territories Defensive Firefighter Training (NWT-DFT) materials to support fire departments in small communities across the territory.

Unearthed is a new Mezzanine Art Gallery exhibition at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) featuring ceramic sculptures by Yellowknife artist Maura Meng. This exhibit opens on December 19th. 

Moving to the Northwest Territories in 2014, Maura initially created functional pottery for local markets but soon felt the work did not reflect her emotional state.

Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today marking the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report:

“Ten years ago today, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future. This landmark report and its Calls to Action continue to guide governments and institutions, and all parties to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, in acknowledging the harms caused by residential schools and in advancing reconciliation through sustained, meaningful action.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its formal response to the 2022 independent After-Action Review (AAR) of emergency response and recovery activities in relation to the flood in the Town of Hay River (HR) and Kátł’odeeche First Nation Reserve. These responses outline clear actions the GNWT will take to strengthen emergency preparedness and recovery from flooding for all flood risk communities across the Northwest Territories.

The third and final engagement period on the NWT Mineral Resources Act (MRA) regulations is now live. Public feedback is needed on the detailed policy intentions concerning the proposed Mineral Rights Review Board and the transition of existing mineral interests.

Two other engagement windows on the MRA regulations have already occurred, as outlined below:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok. 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.

Effective immediately, affected water fixtures at Helen Kalvak School will be out of service and an alternate drinking water source will be provided.

The Mentor-Apprentice Program is looking for new mentors and apprentices who want to teach and learn their language.

The Mentor-Apprentice Program is a way of learning an Indigenous language where a fluent speaker of the language (mentor) teaches a committed language learner (an apprentice) by doing everyday activities using only their Indigenous language.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Chief T’Selehye School in Fort Good Hope. Testing has confirmed that several 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 and implemented a flushing protocol for the school.

The Government of Alberta has cancelled all January 2026 diploma exams due to instructional time lost during the recent teachers’ strike. Because the Northwest Territories uses Alberta’s diploma examination program, this cancellation also applies to all Grade 12 students in the NWT.

As a result, NWT students are automatically exempt from writing diploma exams in January. Students who wish to write an exam later in the school year will continue to have opportunities to do so.

What this means for NWT students: