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
Lucy_Kuptana@ntassembly.ca
Phone
(867) 767-9143(link is a phone number)
Minister
Email
Lucy_Kuptana@gov.nt.ca
Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Statements in Debates

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Through the housing renewal process over the last couple of years, Housing NWT has engaged with Indigenous governments and communities to talk about housing plans in developing community housing plans with the communities to get input on housing in their community over the next number of years. It could be decades. So this is an opportunity for the Mackenzie Delta riding to be engaged with community housing plans through your communities. I'd be happy to discuss that further. 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...

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing NWT allocates units based on waiting lists and need, and at this time we have to look at all units across the North and need across the North. So I can't commit at this time. But I could follow up with the Member and discuss the capital plan for the Tlicho region. 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 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.