Lucy Kuptana

Member Nunakput

Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Lucy Kuptana was elected to the 20th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in November 2023 to represent the constituency of Nunakput, which includes the communities of Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, and Ulukhaktok. A member of the Executive Council, she is the Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories and the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

Prior to her election, Mrs. Kuptana was the Senior Administrative Officer for the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk. She was also a director with the Tuktoyaktuk District Education Authority.

For 22 years previous, Mrs. Kuptana was the Director of Operations, Communications, and Culture with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). In a volunteer capacity, she has served as a director of the Inuvik Homeless Shelter Society, trustee of the Arctic Inspiration Prize, president of the Inuvialuit Communications Society, director of the Inuvialuit Investment Corporation, director of the Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik Community Corporations, and a committee member for the 2023 Northern Youth Games “Inuvialuit Piuyausiat” in Tuktoyaktuk.

Originally from Aklavik and raised at her family’s bush camp in the Mackenzie Delta, Mrs. Kuptana obtained a Level II and Level III Certificate in Community Administration from Aurora College in the early 1990s and returned to graduate with a Diploma in Business Administration and Management in 2013. Mrs. Kuptana is currently enrolled with Yukon University, where she is working towards accreditation in the school’s First Nations Governance and Public Administration program.

Despite a successful career spanning decades, Mrs. Kuptana credits her husband and family in supporting her. She says she owes much of her success to those who have fought – and continue to fight – for Indigenous and Inuvialuit rights.

Mrs. Kuptana’s guiding principle is to lead with respect, empathy, knowledge, and the willingness to work hard for the constituents she represents and all residents of the Northwest Territories.

Nunakput Electoral District

Committees

Public Accounts
Lucy Kuptana
Nunakput
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Minister
Email
Email
Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Statements in Debates

Question 1303-20(1): Encampments
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 97)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing did commit and the government did commit to a coordinated response and a standard operating procedure. Housing NWT, along with government partners, have issued the framework today, and this framework lays out what the different departments, along with the City of Yellowknife and the Municipal Enforcement Division and RCMP, work alongside with EIA and the Integrated Service Delivery Unit to provide support to the neighbourhood and to the people that are within the encampment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement 1085-20(1): 2026 Graduates in Nunakput
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 97)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to offer congratulations to the following high school graduates in the Nunakput riding for 2026:

In Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk

Miley Wolki

Sophie Ross-Saunders

Jones Elias

Sabrina Nasogaluak

Cheryl Chicksi

Natalie Avik.

Angik School in Paulatuk:

Kristen Green

Ethan Ruben

Nora Ruben.

In Ulukhaktok at the Helen Kalvak Elikhakvik is:

Sierra Akhiaktak

Kaden Okheena

Kieren Notaina

Ian Kataoyak.

I wish to offer you the best in all your endeavours. As young leaders in your community, there are many children that look up to you now. The hopes and dreams of your family is with you as you move...

Question 1303-20(1): Encampments
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 97)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I will find out the specifics for the MLA and provide that information to them by tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1302-20(1): Leaving the Northwest Territories for Health Care
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 97)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Understanding it's on Infrastructure property, but Housing NWT is leading the formal encampment response process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1287-20(1): 50th Street Housing Complex
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 96)

Mr. Speaker, I was giving myself air time. No, just kidding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is early 2027. That's the expectation. I don't have an exact date, but early 2027 was the reassurance from Housing NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1279-20(1): Delivery of Housing Units to Tulita
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 96)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the MLA for sharing that. It's really important to recognize that we need tradespeople locally in our communities, in the workforce, every day, and also apprenticing like others. Because I think right now in the Northwest Territories we're seeing a lower level of tradespeople compared to perhaps the last generation, and we need to boost up that capacity, like the Member has indicated, especially with major projects and Build Canada Homes. The potential in Northwest Territories is great. It's just that we've got to get the local workforce engaged. And...

Question 1279-20(1): Delivery of Housing Units to Tulita
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 96)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In terms of the Tulita housing delivery, the modular units for Tulita are being provided by two contractual agreements, each with NWT-based manufacturers. Four units, again, we talked about this earlier in session, are manufactured in Fort Good Hope with the K’ahsho Got'ine Trade Centre with units -- with plans to bring the units to the community on the 2028 winter road. The remaining six units will be manufactured in Hay River by Metcan Building Solutions, an Indigenous-owned business. These units will be delivered to Tulita on the 2027 winter road with the 2027 barge...

Minister's Statement 213-20(1): Housing Capital Projects Update
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 96)

Mr. Speaker, the lack of adequate housing remains one of the most significant challenges facing the Northwest Territories today. Across our territory, too many residents face barriers to safe, suitable, and affordable housing.

The findings of the territorial housing needs assessment confirm what we are hearing in our communities: That elders, seniors, singles, and vulnerable residents, are disproportionately affected by core housing need and are at increased risk of homelessness.

These challenges are compounded by aging housing stock, where many units are approaching or exceeding their intended...

Question 1287-20(1): 50th Street Housing Complex
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 96)

Mr. Speaker, agreed, and absolutely there will be an invite. Thank you.

Question 1287-20(1): 50th Street Housing Complex
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 96)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, just to clarify, it's not the Whitford building yet. We do have to respect the honours advisory committee process, and that's through the Speaker's office, so let's respect that. In terms of the building itself, I mean the sixth floor, with the mass timber walls, that's being built today, we're hoping to have a topping off ceremony probably the last week in June. The building will be entirely enclosed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.