N.W.T. education minister announces sweeping reviews, investigations of Dehcho education bodies

The N.W.T. government has launched a series of investigations into the Dehcho Divisional Education Council (DDEC), as well as all District Education Authorities (DEAs) in the Dehcho region, following what it describes as "serious concerns" from parents, educators and community members.

In a news release late Friday afternoon, Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland wrote that she is appointing an independent investigator to review those education bodies — one of several measures her department is taking to deal with concerns it has heard recently.

"While I recognize there is an urgent need for action in these areas, preliminary findings suggest the value of a broader examination," she wrote.

She said the review, which will start next month, would look at how the education bodies are operating and being governed, and whether elected officials and administrative staff are actually doing their jobs. The review is expected to wrap up by the end of August.

Cleveland said findings from the review would be shared in the next school year.

The government has also launched a financial review of the DDEC and DEAs, and the Finance department is running a human resources investigation "related to personnel matters," Cleveland stated.

Cleveland described a broad range of concerns from community members, from governance to finances to workplace culture and beyond.

"I understand many residents want to see action, and I share that sense of urgency," Cleveland wrote. "I also recognize that for some families—particularly Indigenous families still living with the intergenerational impacts of residential schools— these situations can be especially difficult. That's why this work must be carried out with care, fairness, and respect."

The DDEC is headquartered in Fort Simpson and is guided by trustees from that community as well as from Kakisa, Jean Marie River, Sambaa K'e, Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte, Wrigley and Fort Providence.