Elders' home, transitional housing among Nunavik priorities for new federal funds

This article is new today!

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 16:34:17.0
Tags: [National, Quebec, Housing, Indigenous, Healthcare, Seniors]

The Government of Canada announced $130 million in funding for Inuit treaty organizations, with more than $32 million allocated to Makivvik to support regional priorities in Nunavik. Makivvik plans to put the funds toward a new elders' home in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, and transitional housing in Montreal, following the relocation of 13 elders due to structural issues at a previous facility. Additional allocations from the $130 million package include $16.9 million for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, $15.5 million for the Nunatsiavut government, and $65 million for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated under the federal Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Fund.

IRC leaders vote to keep Erwin Elias as chair

This article is new today!

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 12:44:55.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Governance]

Following an independent investigation by a national law firm, 42 directors representing the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) and six community corporations voted to retain Erwin Elias as chair of the organization. The investigation examined undisclosed allegations against Elias and concluded that there had been no breach of the organization's bylaws. Elias had previously taken a leave of absence following his election as chair in January, pending the outcome of the governance review.

Five more public housing units open in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T.

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 23:15:30.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Indigenous, Social Services, Infrastructure]

Housing N.W.T. has completed and turned over keys for five new public housing units in Behchokǫ̀, consisting of a four-unit building and a three-bedroom single-family home. The modular units were built in Hay River, shipped to Behchokǫ̀ for assembly in April, and are designed to replace older public housing units that have reached the end of their usable life. This deployment follows a territorial needs assessment released in March by Housing N.W.T. indicating that over half of households in Behchokǫ̀ face housing challenges, alongside the recent arrival of eight additional public housing units and one more duplex expected by the end of the year.

Experts highlight the 'double-edged nature' of Starlink in the North

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 20:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Technology, Infrastructure, Indigenous]

The federal government is pursuing made-in-Canada satellite alternatives to Starlink amid network sovereignty concerns and geopolitical risks highlighted by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ottawa-based satellite communications company Telesat plans to deploy 225 low Earth orbit satellites to compete with Starlink, utilizing a $1-billion launch contract with SpaceX. Meanwhile, academic studies of Northern communities—where Starlink provides download speeds averaging over 100 megabits per second—warn of a 'double-edged' social impact, including accelerated online harms like cyberbullying, gambling, and scams.

N.W.T. premier commits to transferring child and family services to Akaitcho First Nations

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 12:24:40.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Social Services, Governance]

Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson has committed to transferring jurisdiction over child and family services to the Akaitcho First Nations following concerns raised at their annual general assembly regarding foster children being separated from their culture. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation has already indicated its intent to pursue the process, prompting the Department of Health and Social Services to initiate work on establishing a coordination agreement under the federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Previous audits by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada highlighted major failings in the territorial system, including unverified foster home safety, missed welfare checks, and excessive caseworker loads surpassing the internal maximum of 11 cases.

Dehcho Grand Chief welcomes calls to abolish the Indian Act

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-28 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Governance]

Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian has echoed calls from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew for the complete abolition of the 150-year-old Indian Act, citing its racist and discriminatory nature. Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated a commitment to moving Canada beyond the act, while academic and negotiation experts note that dismantling the legislation will require complex federal negotiations due to its integration with existing self-government agreements, band status registries, and tax exemptions.

Yukon, Canada ask court to toss First Nation's lawsuit over mining

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-27 21:18:35.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Mining, Resources, Justice]

The Attorney General of Canada and the Yukon government filed statements of defence in Yukon Supreme Court asking the court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun. Filed in December 2025 following the Eagle Gold mine cyanide heap leach pile disaster, the lawsuit alleges breaches of treaty obligations, failures to manage placer mining impacts, and inadequate land-use planning. Both federal and territorial governments denied all wrongdoing, claiming they fulfilled consultation duties and adhered to final agreements, while the First Nation is seeking undefined monetary damages, $150 million in aggravated damages from the Yukon, and permanent injunctions halting unsustainable developments and staking activities.

Akaitcho First Nations assembly kicks off in Dettah

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-27 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Infrastructure, Energy, Governance, Resources]

The Akaitcho Territory Government held its annual general assembly in Dettah, N.W.T., bringing together leadership from the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation, Łutsel K'e Dene First Nation, Salt River First Nation, Tthebatthie Denesųłiné Nation, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation to discuss shared priorities. The assembly addresses major regional infrastructure projects referred to the federal government's Major Projects Office, including the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and the Taltson Hydro Expansion, which have faced wavering support and criticism over inadequate consultations from nations like Deninu Kųę́ and Łutsel K'e. Additionally, the assembly follows up on a 2025 initiative by a committee of elders to rename the Great Slave Lake to remove its derogatory historical connotations. Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and Justice and Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald are scheduled to attend.

First Nations-first ministers' meeting brings funding announcements and mixed reviews

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 22:37:54.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Finance, Infrastructure, Emergency, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney convened the first Indigenous-focused first ministers' meeting in over two decades in Ottawa alongside the Assembly of First Nations, led by National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. Carney announced proposed federal funding ahead of the Nov. 5 budget, including more than $2.5 billion over five years for emergency preparedness in First Nations communities and more than $630 million over four years for First Nations and Inuit policing. Additionally, Carney committed to exploring the reform or abolition of the 1876 Indian Act and instructed his finance minister to collaborate with First Nations on new revenue-sharing mechanisms, such as a potential sovereign wealth fund.

'It's time to abolish the Indian Act,' Manitoba premier tells PM in historic meeting with chiefs

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 19:39:49.0
Tags: [National, Manitoba, Indigenous, Governance, Justice]

During a historic first ministers' meeting in Ottawa alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called for the federal government to abolish the 150-year-old Indian Act. Kinew argued that the race-based legislation and status card system are incompatible with modern Canadian human rights and self-determination, stating that the act must be dismantled in cooperation with First Nations people and governments. The closed-door summit marked the first gathering of its kind between First Nations leaders and first ministers since the 2005 Kelowna Accord talks.

First Nations want tangible results as 'historic' first ministers' meeting opens

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Governance, Infrastructure, Energy]

First Nations leaders and Canada's first ministers convened in Ottawa for the first Indigenous rights first ministers meeting in two decades, led by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and federal officials. The Assembly of First Nations circulated discussion papers seeking commitments on economic prosperity, policing, constitutional rights, health, and education, alongside a draft 'Declaration of a Shared Path Forward' proposing annual meetings. Grassroots groups, including the Truth Before Reconciliation Network and Onion Lake Cree Nation, staged protests and issued a cease-and-desist notice, arguing that elected chiefs do not adequately represent inherent treaty rights-holders amid rising tensions over major resource infrastructure projects.

A ‘reset’ or ‘one and done’? First Nations and first ministers set to hold historic meeting

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-25 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Governance, Infrastructure, Resources, Mining]

The Assembly of First Nations, led by National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, and Canadian first ministers are holding a historic, closed-door First Ministers' Meeting in Ottawa to redefine relations, discuss infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development, and address major project involvement. Notable absences include the premiers of Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec, while several Indigenous leaders have expressed skepticism over meeting formats, speech restrictions, and stalled federal Indigenous legislation under Prime Minister Mark Carney. The federal government, through the Privy Council Office and Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, plans to announce new community supports during the one-day conference.

First Nations leaders voice priorities ahead of historic meeting in Ottawa

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-24 14:06:34.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Governance, Economy, Public Safety]

First Nations leaders are preparing for a historic meeting in Ottawa with Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial premiers, marking the first gathering of its kind in over two decades. Tensions have risen over recent federal legislation aimed at streamlining major project developments without adequate Indigenous consultation, which critics argue threatens reconciliation. Ahead of the talks, the Assembly of First Nations released position papers focusing on economic development, policing, public safety, employment, and health, with specific proposals including a First Nations sovereign wealth fund.

Manitoba judge strikes claims against North West Company in proposed class action over grocery subsidy money

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-24 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Affordability, Justice]

A Manitoba Court of King's Bench judgment handed down by former Chief Justice Glenn Joyal struck all claims in a proposed class-action lawsuit against the North West Company regarding the federal Nutrition North Canada program. Plaintiffs Nellie Kusugak, Malaya Qaunirq Chapman, Isabelle Chapadeau, and Chief Darryl Wastesicoot had alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breaches of the Competition Act and provincial consumer protection laws, claiming the retailer kept millions in subsidy money meant to lower northern grocery prices. The court ruled the claims were certain to fail because third-party consumers have no right to sue under the federal funding agreement between the retailer and the government, and the unjust enrichment and consumer protection arguments lacked legal viability.

Yukon government asks court to toss Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in lawsuit over mining regulation changes

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-23 18:41:15.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Mining, Resources, Justice, Governance]

The Yukon government filed a statement of defence in the Yukon Supreme Court asking to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation regarding temporary amendments made in May 2025 to placer-mining, quartz-mining, and water-use regulations. The amendments, set to remain in effect until December 31, 2028, allow the territorial government to extend soon-to-expire permits and licences for eligible operators to mitigate a major permitting backlog. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in's January lawsuit alleges that the territory failed to consult the First Nation in violation of its final agreement and seeks financial compensation, whereas the government argues it had no duty to consult during the legislative process and that the First Nation delayed legal action.

Auditor presses N.W.T. child and family services to assess its own needs

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-22 20:17:39.0
Tags: [National, Social Services, Governance, Indigenous]

Canada's Office of the Auditor General (OAG) criticized Northwest Territories Child and Family Services—housed within the Department of Health and Social Services—for systemic staffing shortages, unmanageable caseloads triple internal maximums, and failing to systematically assess its own human resource needs. Deputy Auditor General Andrew Hayes reported that 98 percent of children in care in the N.W.T. are Indigenous, and persistent job vacancies continue to compromise welfare checks and foster home safety evaluations. In response, executive director of child and family services Arijana Haramincic stated the department has added 56 positions, expedited hiring, adjusted cultural training, and implemented bi-annual internal audits.

'Let's do it right': N.W.T. downstream leaders and advocates on Alta. oilsands tailings release

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-22 17:08:09.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Environment, Energy, Resources, Indigenous]

Indigenous communities, advocacy groups like Alternatives North, and downstream leaders in the Northwest Territories are calling on federal and territorial governments to review Suncor's proposed oilsands tailings release into the Athabasca River system. Critics cite major scientific data gaps, potential health risks to communities dependent on municipal supplies from Lake Athabasca and Great Slave Lake, and the inadequacy of the 2015 N.W.T.-Alberta Bilateral Water Management Agreement. N.W.T. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald stated that the territory opposes the treat-and-release plan until scientific uncertainties are resolved, though primary regulatory authority rests with the federal government and the Alberta Energy Regulator.

N.W.T.'s Great Slave riding to be renamed Yellowknife East

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-21 21:31:59.0
Tags: [National, Governance, Indigenous]

Members of the Legislative Assembly in the Northwest Territories agreed to officially rename the territorial Great Slave riding to Yellowknife East, following a recommendation from the Electoral Boundaries Commission that criticized the original name as demeaning and objectionable. The Legislative Assembly's board of management will bring forward legislation to formalize the name change, addressing longstanding concerns regarding colonial terms in northern geographic and political nomenclature. At the same time, MLAs rejected a separate commission recommendation to expand the number of electoral districts from 19 to 22.

Group assisting long-planned review of firearms — including SKS — has yet to meet

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 12:38:55.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Justice, Indigenous]

The federal Firearms Classification Technical Advisory Group, appointed to support a review of firearm classifications including the SKS rifle, has yet to hold its first meeting nearly a year after Ottawa announced the review in December. Public Safety Canada confirmed the advisory panel is expected to convene in the fall, amid renewed political debate following the use of an SKS rifle in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The review, led by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and supported by Prime Minister Mark Carney, involves consultations with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities regarding the SKS rifle's use in subsistence hunting.

8 new housing units, built in Hay River, arrive in Behchokǫ̀

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-20 22:55:41.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Social Services, Indigenous, Infrastructure]

Housing N.W.T. has delivered eight new modular social housing units, constructed as four duplexes by METCAN Building Solutions in Hay River, to the community of Behchokǫ̀, with a final duplex scheduled for delivery by the end of the year to bring the total to ten units. The units are expected to be ready for occupancy by December to address a high local demand for one-bedroom social housing. This delivery forms part of a broader territorial initiative funded by a three-year, $150 million investment to construct 98 single-occupant housing units across nine Northwest Territories communities—including Behchokǫ̀, Fort Providence, Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Délı̨nę, Tulita, Fort Simpson, Ulukhaktok, and Fort Smith—by March 2028.