Northwest Territories

At a presentation to city council on Wednesday, Jeremy Flatt requested that the city endorse a resolution calling for a proportional representation model for federal elections. If city coucnillors decide to support the request, Yellowknife could become the first city in Canada to endorse the alternative federal voting system. Flatt said that some have called it a “more democratic” system.

After more than two decades of operations the Diavik diamond mine announced that it has officially closed production. The mine in operation for over 20 years northeast of the city of Yellowknife processed its last truck of ore on Tuesday.

Leah McShane, a Yellowknife high school student, was just named a Loran Scholar for 2026, out of more than 5,400 applicants across the country. The student from École Sir John Franklin High School made it through four selection rounds to receive the award. “With a little bit of work you can do anything you set your mind to,” said McShane, who hopes she can inspire more youth to follow their dreams.

A new pilot program will connect fluent Indigenous languages speakers to interpreter roles at the N.W.T Legislative  Assembly. The pilot program will run from May 2026 to March 2027, with one applicant selected for each of the N.W.T.’s official Indigenous languages: Dene Kǝdǝ́ (North Slavey), Dëne Sųłıné (Chipewyan), Dene Zhatıé (South Slavey), Dinjii Zhuʼ Ginjik (Gwich’in), Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun andTłı̨chǫ.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is reminding residents that dumping garbage, appliances, or construction materials on public land is harmful to the environment and to wildlife and is illegal under territorial legislation.  

A school in Behchokǫ̀ is the latest to receive test results showing elevated levels of lead in some water fixtures. So far, 28 tested school results have been announced to date, 23 have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in some of their drinking water fixtures. Robin Ferguson, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister at the Department of Infrastructure has said the GNWT plans to test more public buildings once school testing is completed.

Hay River, the Hay River Metis Nation, Kátł'odeeche and West Point First Nation are working on a climate action plan that combines local and Traditional knowledge and statistical data alongside meteorological records and forecasts.

At a public briefing today in Yellowknife, Assistant Deputy Infrastructure Minister Sam Shannon said YZF may be moving to a new location soon.

The Tłı̨chǫ government is asking Behchokǫ̀ residents to conserve water due to low water levels in the region, effective immediately.