Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly

The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly building stands at 4570 48th Street in Yellowknife, on the shore of Frame Lake, and it is the seat of government for the territory. It was completed in 1993 and is easy to recognise by its circular form, which was chosen to reflect the way government works in the North. The Northwest Territories does not have political parties in its legislature. Instead, members are elected as independents, and the full assembly then chooses a premier, a speaker and cabinet ministers from among themselves. This is known as consensus government, and the round building is meant to express its spirit of equality and discussion.

Inside, the main space is the assembly chamber, where members sit in a ring facing one another and the speaker rather than in two opposing camps. The chamber is set up for debate and decision making by discussion, and the design draws on northern traditions of gathering in a circle. Guided tours take visitors into the chamber and explain how the legislature works, including the roles of the speaker and the ceremonial mace, the symbol of the assembly’s authority, which rests on the table during sittings. The tours also cover the building’s design, the history of the territory’s government and the way the NWT’s boundaries and powers have changed over time, including the creation of Nunavut in 1999 from the eastern part of the old territory.

The building holds a notable collection of northern art. Paintings by well-known Canadian artists, including A.Y. Jackson of the Group of Seven, who travelled in the North, hang alongside works by Dene, Inuvialuit and Métis artists, and carvings, tapestries and other crafts celebrate the cultures of the region. A polar bear hide, a symbol of the Arctic, is displayed as part of the decoration. The interior combines northern materials with modern design, and the entrance hall is a bright, open space with large windows that look toward the lake.

The setting is pleasant. The building sits close to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, the territory’s museum, and trails along Frame Lake lead through spruce woods and rocky outcrops, so a visit combines well with a walk. The assembly sits in session for several weeks each year, and the public may watch the proceedings from the gallery when the house is sitting, which gives a direct view of consensus politics in action.

Guided tours are offered and are recommended, so check the assembly’s website or contact the office for times. Visitors interested in politics, northern culture and architecture will enjoy it. A visit takes about an hour, and the building is accessible to those with mobility needs.