Northwestel long-distance phone service down across the North

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed has called for Indigenous leaders to be included in ongoing decision-making and discussions on sovereignty and economic development in the Arctic. The call came after Indigenous leadership was reportedly left out of decision-making meetings in Ottawa last week between the premiers and the prime minister.

A group of scientists working out of the territory say that while it is safe there are some “low” risks associated with growing local produce. Their project focusses on examining garden soils and vegetables, testing for arsenic and other metals associated with regional mining activity.

Two more schools in the territory have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in a number of their water fixtures. According to the report issued today by the GNWT, two schools in Fort Smith will undergo remediation measures for the affected water fixtures. Paul William Kaeser High School and Joseph Burr Tyrrell School in Fort Smith join a list of 12 schools, bringing the tally to 14 schools out of 18 in the N.W.T. that have tested positive for elevated lead in drinking water.

The GNWT has partnered with Ne’rahten Development Ltd. to support the K’áhsho Got’ı̨nę Trades Centre in Fort Good Hope. 

The Dene Nation has expressed their strong support for First Nations of Alberta Treaty 6, 7, and 8, as they oppose the proposed referendum on Alberta’s sovereignty.