The Government of Northwest Territories is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2022 Anti-Poverty Fund. The annual $1.75 million Fund can be used to support poverty reduction initiatives in NWT communities.

NWT Indigenous governments and community governing authorities, as well as non-government organizations who demonstrate partnership or support from an Indigenous or community governing authority, may apply for funding.

 Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green has extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act on the advice of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Dr. Kami Kandola.

The latest extension continues through November 23, 2021. 

The Public Health Emergency is required to continue to decisively respond to shifts in the NWT’s own public health situation, and maintain preventative measures.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is currently accepting applications for the Indigenous Language Revitalization Scholarship.

Scholarships of $5,000 will be awarded to help students offset the costs of completing a certificate, diploma, degree program, or other training that supports Indigenous language revitalization.

The Arctic Red River/Mackenzie River ferry to Tsiigehtchic (MV Louis Cardinal), the Peel River Ferry to Fort McPherson (CF Abraham Francis), the Liard River ferry to Fort Simpson (MV Lafferty) and the Mackenzie River/N’dulee ferry to Wrigley (MV Johnny Berens) are nearing their average seasonal close dates and may close soon, depending on conditions.

Residents are advised to move essential goods and services as soon as possible to avoid costly delays and disappointment.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has updated the online self-serve Proof of Vaccination tool. The update allows people with out-of-territory health care cards to use this self-serve online tool to get their Proof of Vaccine Credential (PVC) for vaccine dose they received in the NWT.

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Shane Thompson, has extended the State of Emergency in the City of Yellowknife. This extension is being made under s.14 of the Emergency Management Act.

The extension continues through November 15, 2021.

This State of Emergency was initially instated to address the need for additional shelter space as a result of ongoing capacity limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) re-opened on October 30 and is announcing the extension of the Treaty 11 Document Exhibit until November 21, 2021.

The document, which is in booklet form, has been on display at the PWNHC since September, with a page turned every week to provide the public with the opportunity to see each signatory page.

Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Yellowknife, Behchokǫ̀, Ndilǫ, and Dettah, the PWNHC was temporarily closed to the public, pausing the weekly page turning of the document.

There are currently higher-than-normal water levels on the Tazin and Talston Rivers – and this could impact NWT residents and land-users.

Although there are no NWT communities downstream on the Tazin or Taltson Rivers; there are cabins and camps and the water levels may put them at risk.

The Taltson currently sits at about 0.5 metres lower than the record high water level last fall and water level and flow in the Tazin have not decreased as expected. This could result in sustained high water in the Taltson River during freeze-up.

On October 18th, The Department of Health and Social Services, in conjunction with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, introduced a new COVID 19 at-home student screening program to help protect the unvaccinated NWT student population (ages 5-11).

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the City of Yellowknife have been, and continue to, work collaboratively to protect the health and safety of residents in responding to emergencies.

The Government of the Northwest Territories and the City of Yellowknife want to jointly assure the residents of Yellowknife that if you need emergency services, you should call either 9-1-1 or 2222.