That’s a wrap on the 16th Annual NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Implementation Workshop!

Thank you to all Water Partners who joined us on October 15–16, 2025, at Chateau Nova, Yellowknife, NT.

Over two days, water partners from across the Northwest Territories and beyond came together to:

• Reflect on shared progress under the 2021–2025 Water Strategy Action Plan
• Share updates on innovative programs, research, and community-led monitoring
• Strengthen partnerships and discuss youth involvement in water stewardship
• Inform the development of the next five-year Action Plan to ensure NWT waters remain clean, abundant, and productive for all time.

The Yellowknives Dene Drummers opened the workshop with a prayer song, followed by welcoming remarks and a land acknowledgement from the Honourable Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Over 130 participants representing NWT communities, organizations, academia, and governments contributed their knowledge. From scientific research to land-based learning, they brought forward diverse perspectives. Conversations were rooted in connection, respect, and a shared responsibility to protect northern waters.

A highlight from Day 1 was the presentation of the 2025 NWT Water Stewardship Awards to Lauren Nolan and Terrell Knapton-Pain—congratulations to both recipients!

Key Takeaways and Reflections:

• Participants emphasized youth involvement in water stewardship throughout the workshop, with young voices offering energy, insight, and a long-term vision for northern waters.
• Collaboration and open data sharing between governments, communities, researchers, and Indigenous partners remain foundational to effective water stewardship.
• Participants strongly emphasized the inclusion and central role of Indigenous Knowledge in implementing the Water Strategy and its action plans, recognizing this knowledge as essential to understanding and protecting water systems.
• Participants shared updates on community-led monitoring, innovative research, and approaches that weave together Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.
• As a partnership-based Strategy, participants stressed the need to align with other water-related plans, keep collaboration at the core, and build lasting capacity and engagement in NWT communities.

Stay tuned for the workshop summary report—coming soon!

Presentations: See below for presentations shared during the workshop

1. 2025_Ecotoxicology and Monitoring of Cumulative Effects on the Slave River_Ryan P. & Chris C.pdf
2. 2025_GNWT Aquatic Quality Network_Gila Somers.pdf
3. 2025_Independent Evaluation WSS AP 2021-25 Highlights_MNP.pdf
4. 2025_Introduction to NWT Groundwater Monitoring Wells Portal_Isabelle de G. & Maurice B.pdf
5. 2025_Mackenzie FEI and MRBB Presentation_Morna H., Jeffrey C. & Paula S.pdf
6. 2025_Potential Oil Sands Mining Effluent Regulations_Jane A. & Nicole F.pdf
7. 2025_Tlicho Community-Based Monitoring Programs_Paul V. & Terrell K.pdf
8. 2025_Update on Water Levels Across NWT_Anna C., Emma R. & Jad S.pdf
9. 2025_Water Stewardship Strategy Updates_Kevin Smith.pdf

Questions? Contact us at nwtwaterstrategy@gov.nt.ca