NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Education Leaders focus on student supports, governance, and shared priorities for 2025–2026 school year

Education Leaders from across the Northwest Territories met on November 17, 2025, for the first in-person Education Leaders' meeting of the 2025-2026 school year. The group includes Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Board Chairs from all Northwest Territories'  District Education Authorities and Divisional Education Councils, including Education Leaders Forum Chair Barbara Bell (Yellowknife Education District No. 1), Gilbert Thrasher (Beaufort-Delta District Education Authority), Jean de Dieu Tuyishime (Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires de Nord Ouest), Charlene Liske (Dettah District Education Authority), Sarah Erasmus (Ndilǫ District Education Authority), Heather Bourassa (Sahtu District Education Council), Pennie Pokiak (South Slave District Education Council), Irene Mantla (Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency), and Tina Schauerte (Yellowknife Catholic Schools). Regrets were sent by Lisa Moses (Dehcho District Education Council).

During a full day meeting, Education Leaders reviewed and confirmed foundational documents - Terms of Reference and the Communication, Collaboration and Information Sharing (CCIS) Agreement and Communication Guidelines - that guide how they work together as a forum.

The forum received updates on:

• Education Act Modernization work and the regulatory changes required under Bill 81;
• ECE's response to the 2020 Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Report on Early Childhood to Grade 12 Education;
• Impacts of recent changes to Jordan's Principle funding; and
• Interim Support Assistants Initiative.

The forum discussed:

• Bussing Costs;
• Inclusive Schooling Review;
• Cell Phone Usage Policies;
• Homeschooling Policies;
• Operations and Maintenance Costs for School Infrastructure; and
• Board Governance.

Minister Cleveland committed to convening a virtual follow-up session with Education Leaders to further discuss impacts of Jordan's Principle funding, and to support shared understanding in board governance. In addition, ECE will review the DEC/DEA Handbook in collaboration with education bodies.

Education Leaders and the Minister remain committed to open communication, shared problem-solving, and a coordinated approach to JK-12 education across the territory that places NWT students at the core of their collaborative work.

The next in-person Education Leaders' Meeting will take place on April 22, 2026.

QUOTES:

"I am grateful for the opportunity to meet in-person with Education Leaders from across the Northwest Territories. Today's conversations reflect both the complexity of our education system and the strength of our partnerships. By listening closely and working together, we can navigate change, support our staff, and keep student success at the centre of every decision we make."

Caitlin Cleveland, Minister Education, Culture and Employment

"On behalf of Education Leaders, we thank Minister Cleveland for her ongoing collaboration. We remain committed to advocating tirelessly for students, and having addressed a number of significant priorities, we look forward to continuing this vital work to strengthen education across the Northwest Territories."  

Barbara Bell, Chairperson, Yellowknife Education District No. 1, on behalf of Education Leaders