November 22, 2019
The third annual Max Awards Gala on Thursday concluded an exciting week at the 47th Yellowknife Geoscience Forum.
As the geoscience, mining, and exploration industries arrived in Yellowknife last week, the GNWT was ever present – not only through its Department of Industry Tourism and Investment (ITI) and Geological Survey – but as a sponsor, presenter and promotor of the NWT’s most important sector.
Kicking It Off
It began with the formal welcome from new ITI Minister Katrina Nokleby.
“Our government’s priorities line up with your priorities. The advancement of our economy through mining and exploration is forefront,” said Nokleby in her remarks.
As the dual-serving Infrastructure minister, Nokleby also emphasized the vital interplay between building roads, bridges, and energy infrastructure and the territory’s future economic development.
The Future is Feminine: Women in Mining Canada Launches NWT Chapter
The Minister also joined senior government officials, industry representatives and other women leaders to launch the NWT’s first Women in Mining chapter.
The non-profit organization will advocate for women’s participation and empowerment within the mining industry in-line with the national organization’s mandate.
Drawing on her own career experience, Minister Nokleby’s remarks put the event in context of the territory’s historic election.
“As a female engineer who has spent most of my career in a traditionally male environment, this is a point of personal pride and satisfaction. For the first time in a long time, I can tell you it’s nice not to be outnumbered on my jobsite,” she said.
Charles Camsell Talk Goes Live!
Meanwhile, this popular annual public event brought renowned archaeologist Dr. Grant Zazula to town for an engaging presentation on Ice Age mammals in Canada’s North.
The journey through the history of fossil exploration and finds in Yukon was a hit — the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre was approaching standing room only.
And this year, for the first time, folks across the territory could follow along via Facebook livestream..
Cabinet, Meet Industry
And, both formally and informally, Premier Cochrane and her new Cabinet met with officials from across industry in events like the Coffee with Cabinet event to build relationships and gain perspectives on how to move the needle for mining, geoscience, and exploration over the next four years.
