Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi

Communities across the Northwest Territories are mourning the passing of former Chief Frank T’Seleie Sr. The former chief is being remembered as a trailblazer for Indigenous rights. Dene National Chief George Mackenzie has issued a statement on behalf of the Dene Nation offering condolences.

Operational responsibility for the Inuvik Warming Shelter will be transferred to Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services, effective April 1, 2026.

The territorial government is introducing a “short-term” cost of living subsidy to offset the rising cost of electricity. While it is unclear how long the subsidy will be in effect, it proposes to offset the increase rates for places like the South Slave facing a 62 per cent rate increase. The cost increases came into effect Feb. 1, following the Public Utilities Board’s approval of an application from the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

While a school in Jean Marie River is in the clear, a school in Wrigley has tested positive for elevated lead levels in one water fixture. Chief Julian Yendo School and Community Gym in Wrigley showed elevated lead in drinking water. With 27 tested school results announced to date, 22 sites in the N.W.T. have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in some of their drinking water fixtures.

The call for proposals for the $1B Arctic Infrastructure Fund has officially begun. N.W.T. MP Minister Rebecca Alty said the fund will support projects aimed at connecting the North with the rest of the country, while boosting the economy.