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 635-20(1): Status of Rockhill Housing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in February I shared a highly confidential letter with MLAs that indicated the progress with the Rockhill properties. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 112-20(1): International Women’s Day
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 52)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge International Women's Day, which is observed annually on March 8th to celebrate women's social, cultural, and political achievements throughout history and across nations. International Women's Day provides an important opportunity to showcase commitments towards women's equality, raise awareness about issues affecting women, and to highlight initiatives towards gender parity.

The theme of this year's International Women's Day is Accelerate Action. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress full gender parity will not be...

Minister’s Statement 110-20(1): Housing Northwest Territories Apprenticeship Program
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 51)

Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT continues to expand its inventory of public housing units. These new units will provide stable living conditions and reduce homelessness for vulnerable populations. Safe, affordable housing improves the quality of life. It impacts health, self-confidence, stability, and stronger families, giving people the chance to look beyond survival and focus on opportunity.

New units, however, are only part of the solution. We face a shortage of certified tradespeople, both here and across Canada, to build and maintain existing units. This shortfall delays construction projects...

Question 586-20(1): Rental Increases in Communities for Government of the Northwest Territories Workers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A difficult question and thank you to the Member for the question. This is the same type of question that I've asked Housing NWT. Considering the conditions of units across the Northwest Territories, utilize the unit condition rating, but at this time the expectation is that they would be the same across the board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 586-20(1): Rental Increases in Communities for Government of the Northwest Territories Workers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, the department is considering a number of different options to increase revenues with Housing NWT. But market rental rates have not changed since 2012, 2013, and this is a possible -- this is a possible revenue for Housing NWT because it does subsidize our public housing units. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 591-20(1): Rental Increases in Communities for Government of the Northwest Territories Workers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. The local housing authorities and the district offices are always available to talk to clients about market housing needs in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 586-20(1): Rental Increases in Communities for Government of the Northwest Territories Workers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, good news to report, most of the market housing rentals in the Northwest Territories are 20 years or less. The Government of the Northwest Territories started investing in market housing in the early 2000s. So most of them are 20 years or less, so much better condition than our public housing units. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 578-20(1): Drug-Related Activity in Public Housing Units
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And safe for staff because staff are going into these housing units and having to upkeep and maintain these units, and sometimes they can't even get into the unit. So illegal activities, they're barricading the doors, and it's difficult for staff. But with the RCMP, the RCMP and the rental office have met with Housing NWT, and they meet with program advisers, they meet with the LHOs, they have training with the LHOs. The RCMP regularly meet with Housing NWT officials to ensure information is shared and how improvements can be made. So the RCMP also encourage local...

Question 576-20(1): Delivery of New Housing Units for Fort Resolution
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not sure of Housing NWT's insurance obligations especially with a fire related to the duplex in Fort Resolution. I can check into the information for the Member and follow up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 576-20(1): Delivery of New Housing Units for Fort Resolution
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The information I have from Housing NWT is over the past two years, Housing NWT has completed eight incremental and two replacement public housing units in Fort Resolution, including a four-plex for singles, a duplex for singles, a duplex for seniors, and a public housing replacement duplex. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.