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 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 21-20(1): Arrears Collections from Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I misheard the question again. If that could be repeated; I apologize.

Question 21-20(1): Arrears Collections from Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have a number of programs available to tenants whose housing payments have fallen into arrears. There's a list of programs that I can provide the Member to provide constituents if they do have questions. But we also have a local housing association or organization and the district offices that can provide that information as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 17-20(1): Elders Housing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the review of the core need income threshold over the next year, this will be all reviewed and that will include seniors and elders living in small remote communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 17-20(1): Elders Housing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What we can do is we can refer this back to Housing NWT and get the information to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 17-20(1): Elders Housing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm afraid I didn't understand the question for Housing NWT, Mr. Speaker.

Question 16-20(1): Rent Scales
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

The department can work with the tenants if they're interested in homeownership options. We can set up meetings with the individual tenants if they do have that interest for that opportunity.

Question 21-20(1): Arrears Collections from Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing NWT works very hard to consolidate the arrears and work with the clients to enter into a payment plan to pay back some of those arrears and give them that opportunity through the tenant relations office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 21-20(1): Arrears Collections from Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Elders whose houses have fallen into arrears, their files would go to the rental office. The rental officer will try to mediate the situation and provide some sort of remedy at the time and will counsel the tenant to provide some sort of payment plan so they could pay back the arrears. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 21-20(1): Arrears Collections from Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An explanation on the process that Housing NWT would follow, it would be the local housing association or organization would reach out to the elder or the tenant whose house has fallen into arrears through the tenant relations officer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.