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 74)

Yes, I do.

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

Thank you. For that detail, I'll turn to the deputy clerk, please. Thank you.

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

Deputy clerk.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. On my left is Harjot Sidhu, acting clerk of the Legislative Assembly. And on my right is Miranda Bye, deputy clerk, Members and precinct services.

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

Colleagues, today I am going to celebrate the life of Donald Havioyak, a man whose journey began on June 11th, 1950, and whose passing on November 20, 2025, leaves a deep mark on all our hearts.

Donald was one of 11 children of Edward and Mary Havioyak. I had the pleasure of meeting Donald on December 5th, 1987, in Coppermine. He was the assistant SAO for the Hamlet. What I found out quickly, he always was willing to help and soon we became good friends. Throughout the years of getting to know him, I can tell you Donald's life was rooted in the strengths of the land and the connections of...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

I get the pleasure of recognizing my constituent assistant Deborah Richards who has graced us here with her presence this week, and I'd like to thank her for being here today. She's just keeping track of me, that's all.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Yellowknife South.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

Colleagues, with great sadness I want to celebrate the life of a remarkable young lady Twyla Isaiah who was born on November 18, 1999, in Yellowknife to Robert Hardisty and Eileen Isaiah, and who left us suddenly on November 9, 2025. Though her time with us was far too short, the warmth, laughter, and love she gave will live on forever in our hearts.

Twyla was more than a daughter, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. She was a beacon of light for everyone blessed to know her. With seven siblings - Trish, Natasha, Preston, Jordan, Carson, Wesley, and Jarrett - Twyla grew up surrounded by love...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 72)

Good morning, colleagues.

Today, I rise to share the passing of the loving member of the Fort Simpson community. On September 1st, 2025, the Norwegian and Godbout family, along with the broader community, lost a cherished mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Rolande Marie (Godbout) Norwegian.

Rolande was born on March 8, 1951 in Drummond, New Brunswick to Dora and Roland Godbout. She was third of seven children and grew up surrounded by her siblings with a deep love for animals on the homestead.

After graduating high school, Rolande pursued a teaching career at university. This...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 71)

Colleagues, I wish to draw your attention to the 1967 Centennial carry belt, or baby belt from What We Heard from Commissioner Kisoun today.

It was my pleasure to receive this historical piece of artwork back on behalf of the Legislative Assembly. This carry belt has a very rich history and holds a lot of meaning. Believed to be made in Aklavik for Canada's Centennial celebrations, it was displayed with the territorial mace. Commissioner Stuart Hodgson gave the belt to Tony Belcourt, at the time a young Metis leader who had publicly challenged the Commissioner's view on the role of Indigenous...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 71)

Colleagues, I regret to inform you, with a heavy heart, that Bertha Ruby Norwegian passed away on September 22nd, 2025. The family held her Celebration of Life on October 15th at the Fort Simpson Rec. Centre. Unfortunately, we were in session that day, so I missed the celebration.

On July 5th, 1955, Berna and her twin sister Bertha came into this world. As Berna said they were always meant to be together. They both would go on their separate adventures but somehow, they ended up back together until Bertha passed away.

I had the pleasure of knowing Bertha and Berna for over ten years. If I wanted...