INUVIK (October 10, 2012) – This morning marked the official grand opening of Inuvik’s new super school, East Three.

“Students need sound infrastructure with a healthy and safe environment to learn and grow in,” said the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. “A new school means a fresh start for the community and endless possibilities for students. I want to congratulate everyone involved with this project, and thank them for all their hard work.” 

INUVIK (October 5, 2012) – Building on the success of the June 2012 roundtable, the second antipoverty roundtable was held this week in Inuvik to further shape the Antipoverty Strategy.  This strategy is a partnership between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Aboriginal governments, business, industry, non-profit and nongovernmental organizations.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 2, 2012) – A comprehensive curriculum on Residential Schools was launched today at the start of a three day information session for teachers from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 27, 2012) -- The Yellowknife Film Festival kicks off tonight, and Minister David Ramsay will be in attendance – in film form – to give his congratulations to Western Arctic Moving Pictures and the NWT Professional Media Association on behalf of the NWT Film Commission. The NWT Film Commission will also be a panel member at the first-ever NWT Filmmaker and Producer Forum, to provide information about the commission and discuss what has been achieved in the past year.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 25, 2012) – Recipients of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award and the Ministerial Literacy Awards were honoured today during the annual Adult Learners’ Luncheon in Yellowknife.

These awards were created by the Council of the Federation in 2005 and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in 2002 to recognize adult learners who have overcome learning and literacy challenges or championed literacy to learners of all ages.

The award recipients for 2012:

YELLOWKNIFE (September 25, 2012) -- Northwest Territories Arts Week is from September 22 to 30 and is a celebration of the contribution that the NWT arts and fine crafts community makes to our territory.   “Artisans make significant cultural and economic contributions to communities across the territory and showcase the NWT as a place of artistic excellence,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 24, 2012) – September 23^rd to 29^th is Literacy Week in the Northwest Territories.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), the NWT Literacy Council and local communities are sponsoring events and activities across our territory to highlight the importance of literacy to NWT residents. 

YELLOWKNIFE (August 24, 2012) – Premier Bob McLeod has announced Gabriela Eggenhofer as the new Deputy Minister for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. This appointment will be effective September 10, 2012.

YELLOWKNIFE (July 24, 2012) – The Council of the Federation (CoF), in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories, announced Karra Dillon as the NWT recipient of the 2012 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Presented annually to one individual from each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories, the award celebrates outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy.

 YELLOWKNIFE, NT (July 12, 2012) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty, will present the first CD copies of drum songs to the Tłįchǫ chiefs at the annual Tłįchǫ Gathering in Wekweètì.   

In 1982, Robert Janes, Director of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) in cooperation with the Dene Nation and CBC North, contracted anthropologist Ronald Wright to record Dene music.  This project was to both preserve a sample of traditional Dene music and share the music with the world.