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.

Immediately 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 prior, 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 parents and extended family, her husband, her two sons, and her two grandchildren. She says she owes much of her success to her family, the Elders, and 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
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 188-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What Housing NWT can do is we can look at the cases, again, with elders that are facing arrears and follow up with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as noted earlier, Housing NWT has signed a collaborative agreement with the Gwich'in Tribal Council since the beginning of the 20th Assembly. Housing NWT has also had meetings with communities, such as Fort Resolution, to discuss either formal or informal agreements to work together on housing priorities. We continue to work with housing working groups established in communities, such as Fort Good Hope, to support work of the K’asho Got’ine Housing Society. Housing NWT is also working with community organizations on community housing support initiatives to...

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT is supporting the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, who is the lead on implementation of A Way Home. Housing NWT is supporting the work of an interdepartmental working group to implement that strategy, and our work has included supporting statistical analysis on homelessness, preparing for transition of shelters, and some programs currently implemented by Housing NWT, as well as working on looking for partnership solutions to see housing built to better meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a number of clients that are on the arrears list for Housing NWT. Across the North, we have many clients that are on the arrears list. Housing NWT does review this file annually, so I'd be pleased to meet with the MLA to discuss a casebycase for elders that have arrears with Housing NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our district offices, as well as headquarters, Housing NWT headquarters, would provide information to clients that are interested in becoming homeownership clients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could she repeat the question, I missed it. Sorry, Mr. Speaker.

Question 191-20(1): Replacing Houses Lost in Fort Resolution Fire
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the community's concerns and the situation that happened on Saturday with the fire in Fort Resolution. Over the next year, housing is looking at a building standards framework and hopefully this can be part of the overall discussion of how we build homes across the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 188-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I mentioned earlier, we are looking at reviewing the forgiveness policy with Housing NWT and that will be brought to FMB and Cabinet and for discussion with the Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 188-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to look at the information with Housing NWT and follow up with the Member regarding the question of prioritization. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as noted in today's Minister statement, Housing NWT has established four formal partnership agreements, as well as supporting many informal arrangements, with funding for projects and working on community housing plans. Although still under development, housing is supporting such ideas as supportive housing projects, tiny home projects, and other programs that will support vulnerable populations in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.