Premier RJ Simpson, along with Ministers Lesa Semmler, Vince McKay, and senior government officials, joined MLA for Nunakput and Minister of Housing NWT and Status of Women, Lucy Kuptana, on a four-day constituency tour of the Nunakput region. Acting in both her roles as MLA and Minister, Lucy Kuptana led the tour, which included visits to Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk, and a drive to Tuktoyaktuk, with the goals of listening to residents, learning about local priorities, and building stronger relationships between communities and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

During the tour, leaders met with residents in constituency meetings. These events gave community members the opportunity to share their ideas, concerns, and hopes directly with the Premier and Ministers. The team also toured each community to see local infrastructure, services, and cultural spaces.

The tour included public service representatives from various departments of the GNWT including Health and Social Services, Housing Northwest Territories, Infrastructure, Municipal and Community Affairs, and Executive and Indigenous Affairs. This wide range of leadership helped ensure that many voices and departments were part of the conversation.

Ministers and GNWT officials met with local councils, visited shelters, visited the health centres, visited public housing units, and held individual meetings with service providers. These conversations helped identify ways the GNWT can better support each community’s unique needs.

Local artists were also invited to take part in the tour’s public events, showcasing the creativity and talent found across the region. Attendees had the chance to view and purchase artwork, helping support local creators. While in Paulatuk, Premier Simpson and MLA Kuptana also awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal to Michael Green, the lead drummer and dancer of Paulatuk’s Moonlight Drummers and Dancers.

The Nunakput tour was an important step in building trust and understanding between the GNWT and the communities it serves. The Premier and Ministers thank the residents and communities and look forward to continuing this work together.

Quotes:

"The people of Nunakput are truly remarkable—resilient, welcoming, and deeply connected to their communities. Every community in Nunakput has its own strengths and challenges, and it’s our job to support them in ways that reflect their voices. I was honoured by the warm welcome we received and grateful for the honest conversations we had throughout the region."
- Premier RJ Simpson

“Visiting these communities was not just meaningful—it was vital. As Minister of Health and Social Services, I’m committed to fulfilling our Government’s Mandate priorities—especially improving access to health care and addressing systemic inequities through trauma-informed, culturally responsive services. These visits ground our work in the lived realities of residents in our smallest and most remote communities. By hearing directly from them, we can shape sustainable solutions that advance health equity and support our shared vision of healthy people and communities.”

- Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services

"Strong communities are built on strong relationships. Meeting with local councils and seeing the work being done on the ground reminded us how important it is to stay connected and responsive. We’re here to support and walk alongside our communities and advocate for services that create more opportunities for Northerners. "

-Vince McKay, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

"It was an honour to welcome the Premier and Ministers to the Nunakput riding. The communities along the Arctic Coast are proud, resilient, and deeply rooted in their culture and traditions. This tour gave residents and community leadership a chance to have meaningful discussions with Cabinet members about the issues our communities are facing. I was honoured to attend as their MLA and as a cabinet minister, and it was important to have these discussions now more than ever, as Canada is paying attention to the Arctic. The future is North and the residents of Nunakput riding have an important part to play in the coming years, and I hope to see meaningful change and support for my constituents.” 

- Lucy Kuptana, MLA for Nunakput and Minister of Housing NWT and Status of Women 

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Government of the Northwest Territories
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