Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi

Dene Nation leaders are calling for autonomy from the government of the Northwest Territories in access housing and infrastructure funding. “As we speak, there are shortages of housing in every Dene community in the N.W.T. Lots of houses are boarded up, units are boarded up too. And there's overcrowding in lots of houses, communities. There's a lot of shortages of housing — that needs to be looked at right away,” said Dene National Chief George Mackenzie.

The City of Yellowknife is asking residents to share their opinions on the future of local recreation with the 2026 Community Programs Survey.

While Indigenous leaders across the territory, including Chief Mackenzie, say they are “hopeful” about what major projects like the Mackenzie Highway could mean for the North and Indigenous communities, they are also “cautious.” “That's why we invite development, we know the world is never the same, the North most likely will never be the same. It will change, we have to accept it, but we have to respect our animals, water, air — environment as much as possible."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Yellowknife on Thursday marked a “historical” and unprecedented moment, committing billions in infrastructure and defence investments across the North. A number of Indigenous leaders were in attendance, including Dene National Chief George Mackenzie, Ɂek'wahtı̨dǝ́ Danny Gaudet of Délı̨nę, Chief Lloyd Moses of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation and President of the North Salve Métis Alliance Marc Whitford,

The Taltson hydro unit is back online and supplying power to the South Slave region.