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 The Public Hearing has been cancelled because Arctic has withdrawn its Application (See Letter from Arctic).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. 

The Sahtu Land and Water Board (SLWB) recognizes the recent evacuation order issued for the community of Fort Good Hope due to nearby wildfires and will be temporarily ceasing operations. The SLWB will continue to monitor the situation closely and reassess in a few days. All inquiries should be directed to Paul Dixon via email or by phone at 867-445-4094.

The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) are inviting comments and recommendations on a DRAFT of the LWB Reference Bulletin: Water Use (the Draft Bulletin). Comments and recommendations can be submitted through the Online Review System by April 24, 2024.

Please join us for an evening of food and discussion for the Tea and Talk Engagement Session.  We will be in Lı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ (Fort Simpson) at the Recreation Centre on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  . How would you like to be engaged on Land Use Permitting and Water Licencing processes in your community? Everyone is welcome! (after the Resource Co-management Workshop on Day 1)  Food will be served.

The Resource Co-management Workshop will be held in the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ (Fort Simpson) Recreation Centre on March 26 and 27, 2024.  Please see the draft agenda below (subject to change).  For registration, click here.  

Come join the Wek’èezhı̀ı Land and Water Board Team!  Become part of the family of the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley.   We foster a culture of balance where we value both work and personal commitments.  We work in fast- paced dynamic environment.   We can accommodate a flexible work schedule to maintain a full-filling balance of life and work.  We support our team in their professional development growth plan.  If you are interested in joining our team, please apply!  Please see the job ad below for details.

The Resource Co-management Workshop will be hosted in Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ (Fort Simpson).  The workshop is hosted by the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley, the Mackenzie Valley Review Board, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of Canada. 

The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley extend our deepest condolence to the residents of Fort Smith and all those connected to the recent aviation accident on Jan. 23. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, as well as our colleagues and partners working with the Diavik diamond mine. Our staff and Board members share in the sorrow of this tragedy and send peace, strength, and solace to all affected across the Northwest Territories during this challenging time.

The Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) has applied to renew its Type A water licence for the Snare Hydroelectric Facilities. The project includes existing hydro plants at Snare Rapids, Snare Falls, Snare Forks and Snare Cascades on the Snare River. A public hearing will take place at the Kǫ̀ Gocho Sportsplex Centre in Behchokǫ̀, NT on Dec. 6, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

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).

A Resource Co-Management Workshop that was scheduled to take place in Fort Simpson in October has been postponed. 

Please watch our website for future updates. 

On behalf of the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley and the Review Board we recognize the wildfire situation has been stressful and we appreciate everyone’s efforts to remain calm and be kind. 

The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) are pleased to announce the release of the following updated LWB guidance documents and Application Forms, all of which are available on any of the LWBs’ “Apply for a Permit/Licence” pages (GLWB, MVLWB, SLWB, and WLWB):

The Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board for the Diavik Mine is seeking an Environmental Specialist. Here is the link to the ad and job description. Apply with resume to emab1@northwestel.net by August 4, 2023.