Shane Thompson

Member Nahendeh

Speaker

Shane Thompson was re-elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly after serving in the 18th and 19th Assemblies representing the constituency of Nahendeh. Mr. Thompson is the Honorable Speaker of the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Thompson was first elected to the 18th Assembly in November 2015 and served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development. Mr. Thompson was also a member of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, and the Striking Committee.

Mr. Thompson was born on July 11, 1963, in Hay River. He has lived in Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Inuvik, Hay River, and in Edmonton, while at the University of Alberta. Fort Simpson has been his home since 1992.

Mr. Thompson previously served two terms (three years each) as an elected official with the Fort Simpson District Education Authority, spending the last four years as the chairperson. Over the past 35 years, he has served on various community and territorial boards.

Mr. Thompson was employed as the Senior Sport and Recreation Coordinator with Municipal and Community Affairs (GNWT) in the Deh Cho region before being elected as a Member.

Mr. Thompson completed the Community Recreation Leaders Program at Arctic College in 1989 and is currently working on a Masters Certificate on Evaluation at the University of Victoria and Carleton University. He also completed three years towards an Education degree at the University of Alberta.

Mr. Thompson is an active volunteer with Northern Youth Aboard, CBET and Fundamental Movement, and HIGH FIVE®. As well, he is a past member of the Sport North Federation Board, NWT Softball and of NWTRPA, and the past president of Seven Spruce Golf Course.

Mr. Thompson is the father of seven children - five daughters and two sons – and has nine grandchildren.

He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1991.

Nahendeh Electoral District

Committees

Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Phone
Extension
12005
Constituency Office

9706-100th Street
Fort Simpson NT X0E 0N0
Canada

Phone

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Colleagues, today, my Member's statement brings great news. Sometimes in life, you find yourself in the right place at the right time.

Last summer in Yellowknife, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Kenneth Peter Judge, visiting from Monaco. As we discussed his work, businesses, and personal life, I learned he was part of the legendary Australia II crew that ended America's 132-year winning streak in the 1983 America's Cup, a historic sailing triumph. Despite his achievements and honours like the Order of Australia, Ken came across as refreshingly down-to-earth. Our conversation turned to Clean...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Good afternoon. Colleagues, before we begin today, I want to take a moment to extend the condolences of this House, as well as my personal condolences, to those impacted by the tragic and horrendous events that occurred in Tumbler Ridge, BC, yesterday. Our hearts are with the residents of Tumbler Ridge at this time, and we will hold you all in our prayers. The flags at the Assembly will be at half-mast for the week to show respect and condolences for all of the families and community members impacted by this terrible event.

Colleagues, please join me in a moment of silence for all those who...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Colleagues, it is with great regret that I advise the House of the passing of Dolphus Henry (Duffy) Cazon. Today, it is not to mourn his passing but to celebrate a life full of joy, generosity, and simple pleasures that touched us all.

Born on July 30, 1953, in Fort Simpson to Baptiste and Marie Alphonsine Cazon, Duffy was one of 17 children who grew up embracing the land alongside his siblings -- running, laughing, and learning the rhythms of our northern home. From his young days, Duffy's love for music lit up the room. He'd practice that accordion with such passion and later in life nothing...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Please be seated. Before we get into it, I'd just like to wish my twin daughters a happy birthday. So they turn 29 for some time, the addition, but I will just leave it at that. So happy birthday, my girls, Deborah and Nancy. I'd like to thank Ms. Cleary for the opening prayer and reflection.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 76)

Colleagues, today, with great sadness, difficulty, and with a heavy heart, yet profound gratitude, to celebrate the extraordinary life of Cathy Kotchea Gonet. We are saying goodbye to an extraordinary woman - whose spirit, talent, compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication wove her deeply into the fabric of Fort Liard, Deh Cho region, and beyond. I know she touched countless lives within the community, region and the NWT.

Cathy's connection to traditional art was the heartbeat of her spirit. As the manager of the Acho Dene Native Craft Store, she poured her passion into getting art and...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 76)

Please be seated. Thank you, Joe Otokiak, for the prayer and reflections today.

Colleagues, when we started this sitting, I reminded you that we expect to hear respectful words and see respectful behaviour in this chamber. We have had three sitting days since I made those comments in my opening remarks and, honestly, I am disappointed.

When we are in this House, I don't want to hear heckling and jeering. I don't want to see eyes rolling or angry looks being directed at one another. I don't want to see and hear Members of this Assembly talking over one another or ignoring one another. This...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 75)

Well, I just did my Member's statement. I have my youngest daughter and her family here, the three youngest grandchildren, Rhett, Roy or Billy, depending on what he wants to be called, Aurelia who is known as Hammy, and Ezra, who are the youngest grandchildren but will be replaced in June to be the next. So welcome to the Assembly. And my son-in-law Brendan. Thank you very much for attending, and I'll get to watch hockey this weekend with them. So welcome to the Assembly.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Kam Lake.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 75)

Colleagues, I want to share a personal story from Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Five of my seven children were home in Fort Simpson for the week before Christmas. My daughter Jenny asked if we could all go out for lunch at the Pandaville. After a few questions, I agreed, and fifteen of us invaded the restaurant. After a wonderful meal and conversation, two plates of fortune cookies arrived. I opened mine first. It said something about a small, sweet thing that would steal my heart soon. I didn't think much of it. Then Grace opened hers and started to cry. She shared it with me: Get ready to...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 74)

I will start and then I'll turn it to the deputy clerk if we need further. So it's funded internally, and it's an internship like anything else from other departments within the government. So you apply and sometimes you don't get the funding available, and so we have to find it internally through that. With your permission, Mr. Chair, I'll ask the deputy clerk to fill more on there. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 74)

Thank you. For that detail, I'll turn to Miranda, please.