The Geographical and Community Place Names Policy needs your input. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is updating this policy to enhance the role of Indigenous governments and the public in naming decisions. The policy was last updated in 1997 and no longer reflects how the GNWT works with Indigenous governments and the public.

Indigenous and traditional names for geographical features and communities are key parts of the culture, history, and languages of Indigenous peoples of the NWT and play a vital role in advancing reconciliation and language revitalization. Updating the policy will allow the GNWT to clarify and strengthen the place-naming process and improve the GNWT’s ability to support Indigenous peoples as they work to restore traditional names.

The proposed updates to the Geographical and Community Place Names Policy will ensure the GNWT’s approach is clear and consistent, and  aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other best practices.

Proposed changes to the policy include:

• Respecting place naming under treaties, land claims and self-government agreements,
• Aligning the section for commemorative names with national guidelines. Names will only be considered posthumously, after a minimum of five years,
• Prohibiting the introduction of derogatory names, and
• Formalizing the current practice of maintaining an up-to-date, online list of official place names.

The recognition and use of Indigenous and traditional place names enrich our understanding of the NWT’s history and identity, for both residents and visitors. That’s why your feedback on this policy is so important – what you have to say will help inform updates to the policy.

In addition to this open “Have Your Say” engagement, the GNWT is also getting input and feedback directly from Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations on these proposed policy changes. .

Send your comments to CulturalPlaces@gov.nt.ca or visit the GNWT’s Have Your Say portal and submit your comments by January 5, 2026.

The updated Geographical and Community Place Names policy is expected to come into force in late 2026.

For media requests, please contact:
Agata Gutkowska
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Agata_gutkowska@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9352 Ext. 71073