Home · Politics · Provincial/Territorial Politics · Northwest Territories: Voting in Canada's North
Topic spans: 1976 - 1999
Northwest Territories: Voting in Canada's North
The political process of Canada's Northwest Territories is as unique as its landscape. There are no political parties. Instead, candidates are elected by the community based largely on family ties and personality. The N.W.T. has seen dramatic changes from its days of "benign neglect" before 1950 to the evolution of its current consensus-style of government. Deeply rooted in native tradition, the Northwest Territories' distinct form of government has been described as the most interesting parliamentary system in the world.
7 television clips
9 radio clips
Native people power
Broadcast Date: Nov. 20, 1983
More northerners are taking an active interest in the politics of their land. In the 1983 election, more native people are running than ever before. The CBC's Whit Fraser reports that trappers outnumber lawyers as candidates. Self-government, the right of native people to control their own lives and the land they live on, is slowly starting to become a reality. The 1983 election leads to the election of Richard Nerysoo, the first native government leader in Canada.Native people power
• The first election in the N.W.T. was held in September 1951, but not all members were voted in. Many were appointed. By March 1975, all federal appointees were eliminated and northerners had an all-elected assembly for the first time. Twenty-four MLAs were elected, giving consensus government its present form.• Richard Nerysoo was the government leader from 1984 to 1985.
Native people power
Medium: Television
Program: The National
Broadcast Date: Nov. 20, 1983
Guest(s): George Braden
Reporter: Whit Fraser
Duration: 1:51
Last updated:
March 9, 2008
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16 clips in this topic . page
Radio
4:57
Jan. 18, 1967
Ottawa hands over more power to the territory, but retains control of its natural resources.
Topic
On April 1, 1999, the new territory of Nunavut was born, finally making the controversial dream of the Northwest Territories' Inuit a reality. It meant the Inuit gained self-rule and control over their own...
Native people power.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: March 9, 2008.
[Page consulted on Feb. 14, 2012.]