Beadwork by Lucyann Menicoche. Photos: Submitted

For Lucyann Menicoche, beading is much more than just a craft – it’s a tradition, a passion and her full-time job.

Menicoche, who is from Tsiigehtchic and now lives in Fort Simpson, said she learned the skill from her mother when she was just eight years old.

On February 19, 2025, the SLWB will be holding a Board-Initiated Water Licence Renewal Proceeding for the Imperial Norman Wells Operations. The hearing will be held virtually only, via zoom.

We want to hear from you! 

The 2013 Guidelines for the Closure and Reclamation of Advanced Mineral Exploration and Mine Sites in the Northwest Territories (Closure Guidelines) outline expectations for closure planning of advanced mineral exploration and mine sites in the Mackenzie Valley. The Boards intend to expand these guidelines beyond advanced exploration and mining/milling to include, at minimum, oil and gas and potentially other industries 

The Indigenous Flower Beading Series presents Marlene Tutcho as our featured artist for the month of February!

Marlene, who is from Délı̨nę, learned beading from her mother along with her five sisters and says beading helps connect her to her culture and traditions. 

On behalf of the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley, the Indigenous Flower Beading Series presents Alisa Blake as our featured artist for the month of January.

Alisa Blake was taught to bead as a child by her mother and grandmother.

The offices of the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley will be closed Monday, November 11 in observance of Remembrance day. Offices will reopen Tuesday morning. 

Poppy earrings in thumbnail by Kimberley Mackeinzo.

Kimberley Mackeinzo began beading during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to ground herself and better understand who she is as an Indigenous person.

Mackeinzo, a Sahtu Beneficiary from Délı̨nę, is November's Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley beading artist of the month, chosen for her “Lest We Forget” poppy-themed earrings.

The pandemic "was a very isolating time of everybody’s lives, especially for me, somebody who is in recovery,” she explained, noting she has been sober since 2018.

The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) invite individuals and firms to submit a proposal for the provision of legal services in some or all of the areas specified below for a five-year term beginning on December 9, 2024.

The Wek'èezhı̀ı Land and Water Board is eager to connect with YOU! Learn about our vital work and discover how your feedback and knowledge can help us protect and manage Wek'èezhı̀ı land and resources for generations to come. This is a great opportunity to come together over a delicious meal and engage in meaningful conversations about our land and water resources.

Date: October 16, 2024.

Time: 5:00 PM

Location: Johnny Nitsiza Culture Centre, Whatì NT. 

The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) are thrilled to announce the launch of our Indigenous Flower Beading Series, an opportunity for talented artists to share their skills and celebrate the rich heritage of Northern Indigenous beadwork. Over the next 12 months, we will highlight the beauty of Indigenous floral designs, each month featuring a new theme. This is more than just an art project—it’s a way to keep traditional art forms alive and celebrate Indigenous culture through storytelling in beads.

https://nwtboardforum.com/#an-exciting-opportunity-awaits

This is notice that the Public Hearing for the Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. (Arctic) has been cancelled. The Public Hearing has been cancelled because Arctic has withdrawn its Application (See Letter from Arctic). The Board offers its sincere apologies for this inconvenience as it understands the efforts made by Parties to prepare for and attend the Public Hearing.  

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (Review Board) and the Gwich’in Land and Water Board are hiring for the position of Community Liaison based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Job description:
Reporting to the Manager of Indigenous Outreach, Engagement & Partnership, the Community Liaison provides information and education services to communities and community members about the importance and impact of environmental assessment and regulatory activities in the Mackenzie Valley. The Community Liaison:

A new scholarship opportunity is available for current or future students in forestry or wildfire management. 

The Adam Yeadon Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Northwest Territories full-time post-secondary students enrolled in diploma, degree program or other approved training programs related to forestry or wildfire management to encourage and support northerners interested in pursuing an education in these fields.

Available funding 

In Adam’s memory, the following is available: 

The Land and Water Boards (LWBs) of the Mackenzie Valley are pleased to announce the release of the revised Reference Bulletin: Water Use (Bulletin) and supporting Annex A: Interpretation and Reasoning – Reference Bulletin: Water Use.

On behalf of the planning committee for the Resource Co-management Workshop, we’d like to thank the host community, Łıı́d́ lıı̨ ̨Kų́ę́ (Fort Simpson), and all individuals and organizations who participated on March 26 & 27, 2024. The event was hosted by the: Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (Gwich’in, Sahtú, Mackenzie Valley, and Wek’èezhìı), the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), Crown-Indigenous Relations & Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (Review Board).

The Sahtu Land and Water Board is resuming normal operations effective immediately. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to those individuals and organizations who contributed to keeping the Community of Fort Good Hope safe!

The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) wish to inform the public of the status of the update to the LWBs’ Engagement Guidelines for Applicants and Holders of Water Licences and Land Use Permits (the Guidelines).

The Land and Water Boards (LWBs) are pleased to announce the release of the Guidelines for Municipal Sludge Management.

As of April 2024, the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) have implemented a new policy regarding fee exemptions for Indigenous Governments and community governments. For details, see the letter to CIRNAC and the GNWT explaining the new policy.