N.W.T. releases report on Team NT and multisport games

The Northwest Territories government has released a “what we heard” report on Team NT and the territory’s multisport games, saying residents strongly support sending athletes to the Games but want clearer purposes, fairer selection and easier access for small, remote communities.

The Review of Team NT and the Multisport Games summarizes feedback from athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, territorial sport organizations, Indigenous governments and organizations, community representatives and residents from every region of the territory, the Government of the Northwest Territories said.

The report does not contain recommendations or decisions. The government said it will help inform future recommendations on Team NT and the wider multisport games system.

The Sport Information Resource Centre supported the engagement, which ran from May to July 2026 and included focus groups, interviews and a public survey on the government’s Have Your Say platform. The survey drew 124 responses. More than half of respondents identified as women or girls, and the process included Indigenous residents, people with disabilities and members of visible minority communities.

The government also reviewed feedback from 147 Arctic Winter Games trials survey respondents, 61 Arctic Winter Games survey respondents and 44 Canada Games survey respondents.

The review looked at Team NT’s participation in the Arctic Winter Games, the North American Indigenous Games, the Canada Games and the Canada 55+ Games. Participants said the Games help build youth development, leadership, cultural connection, community pride and a sense of belonging.

Several themes came up repeatedly, the government said. They include the need for greater clarity about the purpose of each Games, better access to participation in small and remote communities, a review of Arctic Winter Games trials and selection processes, stronger guidance for volunteers and coaches, better communication and coordination, and efforts to address financial barriers.

The review supports the Active Living Framework’s goal of fostering active, healthy and connected communities, according to the release. The full report is available on the government’s Have Your Say site.

The release comes as other territorial departments report to the legislature. Housing NWT recently detailed a year of audit fixes, and in Inuvik, leaders voted to rename streets with residential school ties.

If you find reporting like this useful, consider supporting Canada News Media, an independent Canadian newsroom with no corporate parent.