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 47-20(1): Yellowknife Wellness and Recovery Centre
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

I'm just going to put my earpiece thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, I would love the support of this House to increase the maintenance budget for housing units across the North. There is so much work to be done. I mean, throughout the campaign, everyone was knocking on doors. We all know the conditions of homes in the North, and we know that there's a lot of work to do. And if we can do that as a House in our priorities and planning session, absolutely, let's look at that and let's increase that budget. But, again, like the finance Minister says, we're in a fiscal restraint and we have to...

Question 47-20(1): Yellowknife Wellness and Recovery Centre
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

(audio) maintenance with housing units is not chronically underfunded. We do have a budget for maintenance. It's throughout the Northwest Territories. A lot of times what we're finding is with timelines and entry into housing units, it sometimes crosses wires where the maintenance doesn't get done and we have to follow up with the tenants. We do have a budget. It is in place year after year. Sometimes that maintenance issue is pushed forward, but we do try our best to get the unit maintained to a safe manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 39-20(1): Meeting Housing Needs
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the housing renewal process, we've established a housing forum. So we meet with Indigenous governments. We talk about various subject matters, and housing is the key topic with this housing forum. So it gives us an opportunity to talk about partnerships and how we can do things better. Instead of working separately, we work in partnership.

So I've advanced, and I've talked to Housing NWT staff, saying we work in partnership, we support each other, we provide them what resources we can provide them. If it's architectural, if it's engineering, if it's land tenure, let...

Question 38-20(1): Housing Needs in Mackenzie Delta Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, I'd be happy to visit your riding and meet with constituents to talk about housing issues. And I know we discussed a visit in April, and I would look forward to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 34-20(1): Construction and Retrofitting of Housing Northwest Territories Units
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot confirm at this time that those were completed, Mr. Speaker. I can follow up and provide the information to the Member as soon as I know that information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 25-20(1): Housing Northwest Territories Board Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can consult with Housing NWT operation staff and the president to see if we can revise the policy for local housing associations.

Question 37-20(1): Housing Northwest Territories Energy Strategy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Housing NWT adopted its energy strategy in 2023. Housing has accessed multiyear federal funding to support work identified in this strategy, including approximately $4 million in the 20242025 Capital Plan. Housing has partnered with GNWT departments on funding for feasibility studies for potential district heating opportunities and renewable fuel sources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 34-20(1): Construction and Retrofitting of Housing Northwest Territories Units
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The status of the projects are ten new public housing units are now under construction in the Tlicho communities, all awarded to Tlicho businesses, including six new public housing units in Behchoko. Four of these are on track for completion this spring and two others will be completed this summer. Two new public housing units in Gameti to be completed this spring. Two new public housing units in Whati to be completed by this summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 34-20(1): Construction and Retrofitting of Housing Northwest Territories Units
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I announced in the capital update that 100 new homes were either completed or in progress. So we do have some homes that are in progress because of transportation issues. So there are some homes that are not completed yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 6-20(1): Capital Delivery Status Update
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, living and travelling throughout the Northwest Territories, I have seen firsthand the many housing challenges faced by residents. All people of the Northwest Territories deserve a quality standard of living.

During the 19th Legislative Assembly, Housing NWT consistently advocated to the federal government for funding to address housing needs across the Northwest Territories. I would like to recognize the dedicated work of the 19th Legislative Assembly and former Minister Paulie Chinna in this area. The advocacy that took place in the 19th Legislative...