NWT Housing Forum selects its first Indigenous co-chair

June 15, 2023

As part of Housing NWT’s Renewal Strategy, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Indigenous governments have established an NWT Housing Forum to collaborate and share information on housing-related issues in the territory. The newly-established Forum held its first meeting on June 9, 2023, where the Yellowknives Dene First Nation was selected as the first Indigenous co-chair.

The NWT Housing Forum is a body that replaces the Council of Leaders Housing Working Group. This guiding body will share information, discuss and advocate for improvements and changes to the NWT housing system, allow members to share their own housing-related plans, and find opportunities for collaboration.

Formalizing this group as the new NWT Housing Forum will build on an already strong foundation and ensure Indigenous governments have a strong voice in the housing needs of their communities. Housing NWT will use the Forum to seek input from members on potential changes to programs, policies, and legislation relating to matters within its mandate.

All NWT Indigenous governments that are members or eligible for membership in the NWT Council of Leaders are entitled to participate in the NWT Housing Forum.

Housing NWT will co-chair the Forum alongside an NWT Indigenous government – the first being the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. A new Indigenous government co-chair will be selected by all Indigenous government participants every two years.

The NWT Housing Forum will meet virtually four times a year, and schedule an in-person, symposium-style meeting every two years.

Quote(s)

“The establishment of the NWT Housing Forum is part of our commitment to strengthening relationships with Indigenous governments. Consistent collaboration with all of our housing partners will help us identify real solutions for Northerners. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes that come from this new Forum.”

– Paulie Chinna, Minister of Housing NWT

Quick Facts

• The newly-established NWT Housing Forum – co-chaired by Housing NWT and an Indigenous government – held its first meeting on June 9, 2023, where the Yellowknives Dene First Nation was selected as the first Indigenous co-chair.
• The NWT Housing Forum was established so that Housing NWT and Indigenous governments can collaborate and share information on housing-related issues in the territory.
• All NWT Indigenous governments that are members or eligible for membership in the NWT Council of Leaders are entitled to participate in the NWT Housing Forum.
• A new Indigenous government co-chair will be selected by all Indigenous government participants every two years.
• The NWT Housing Forum will meet virtually four times a year, and schedule an in-person, symposium-style meeting every two years.

Related Links

• www.nwthc.gov.nt.ca/en
• www.gov.nt.ca/

For media requests, please contact:

Tami Johnson

Manager, Communications

Housing NWT

Government of the Northwest Territories

Tami.johnson@gov.nt.ca

867-767-9328

NT5