Indigenous

An independent justice council upheld Kirk Dolphus’s election as Ɂek’wahtı̨dǝ́ of the Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government, ruling that his pending assault charge does not disqualify him under the community’s election law. The panel also recommended stronger record‑check procedures for future contests.

The museum event "Ones We Met – Inuit Traditional Knowledge and the Franklin..." showcases how Inuit storytelling helped solve the Franklin expedition mystery, underscoring the value of indigenous knowledge in Arctic history.

Chief James Marlowe of Łútsël K’é Dene First Nation says he is ready to rebuild ties with the Government of the Northwest Territories following Premier RJ Simpson’s apology for the 2022 raid of a cultural camp on Artillery Lake. A meeting focused on establishing a working relationship, though no concrete commitments have been made and concerns about returned caribou meat remain.

Denmark has approved a bill that will give roughly $64,000 CAD to each of the about 4,000 Inuit women in Greenland who were forcibly implanted with IUDs between 1966 and 1991, a move that is hoped to prompt a similar apology and compensation from Canada for its own history of coerced sterilization of Indigenous women.

The Mackenzie Valley Highway plan now includes bridges over the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers to link Fort Simpson and Wrigley, a change announced in a Canada Gazette notice that could eliminate seasonal ferry and ice‑road gaps, improve emergency and commercial access, and support local economies while prompting further planning and funding decisions.

Laura Ganyo has been appointed permanent superintendent of the Dehcho Divisional Education Council, stepping into the role after a GNWT investigation revealed localized issues in Fort Simpson. She plans to strengthen relationships, integrate Dene culture, and address attendance and student safety in the region.

Researchers led by Inuit scientist Terry Noah are collecting data in the North Water polynya near Grise Fiord to document its rapidly changing conditions, as Canada has declared a marine protected zone but Greenland lags behind, threatening this vital Arctic ecosystem and Inuit livelihoods.

Greenlandic Arctic communities join a national waste‑to‑heat network that turns local garbage into heating fuel, turning a polar‑bear attractant into a resource.

Nunavut’s government has raised foster‑parent payments by 45 %, increasing annual per‑child support from roughly $21,000 to $30,700–$34,400 in 30 communities and providing retroactive lump sums for April–August. The move addresses audit findings that many homes lacked proper checks and data, and marks the first rise since 2020.

The district’s annual Indigenous languages professional development day, held Aug. 25 in Yellowknife, featured keynote speaker Carolyn Roberts, who urged teachers to re‑story the curriculum with Indigenous perspectives and offered lesson‑plan resources. Staff also engaged in hands‑on cultural activities, continuing a 15‑year tradition of strengthening local Indigenous education.

ICC Chair Sara Olsvig reiterates that the Arctic is Inuit homeland and rejects claims that Inuit lands are not theirs, reaffirming Inuit sovereignty.

The NWT Department of Infrastructure has commissioned a feasibility study—by Trapline Engineering—to determine whether the Fort Good Hope RCMP detachment should be relocated or rebuilt because erosion of the Mackenzie River bank threatens 20‑30 homes, a reservoir, cemetery, and other public buildings in the Sahtu community.

An Inuvialuk artist from Tuktoyaktuk will display her augmented‑reality work, Upinraksaq, in Umeå, Sweden this summer as part of the 2026 Arctic Arts Summit, underscoring shared Indigenous histories and the renewed Canadian government support for Arctic artists.

Deninu Kue First Nation has withdrawn its support for the Taltson hydroelectric expansion, citing a long history of exclusion and the risk that added power would benefit future Arctic mines rather than the Fort Resolution community. The First Nation demands concrete procurement and inclusion guarantees before it will consider future participation.

A new Inunnguiniq cabin opened on Aug. 19 near Baker Lake, donated by Agnico Eagle as part of its $5‑million Inunnguiniq Project, to give Inuit Elders and youth a place to gather, share knowledge, and strengthen cultural continuity.

Canada launches a Youth Ambassador Program for Nunavut participants in the Arctic Winter Games, inviting applications from local youth to develop leadership and cultural engagement opportunities.

In 2025, Inuit employees made up 18.6% of Nunavut’s mining workforce, with B2Gold leading at 37% and Agnico Eagle having the largest Inuit staff count but the lowest rate, while Agnico Eagle plans new hires at Hope Bay with uncertain Inuit representation.

The second annual Xat’ǫ̀ Gathering in Yellowknife drew 648 hand‑games players from across Northern Canada for a week‑long tournament, cultural programs, and community healing. The event celebrated the tradition of hand games, offered cash prizes, and served as a space for intergenerational unity and reconciliation.

The Kattivik Inuit community in Nunavut hosted a cultural gathering that celebrated traditional practices and reinforced community bonds, underscoring the resilience of Inuit heritage.