Introducing a New Regional Gathering Model in Place of Annual Conference

We are excited to announce that we are taking a new approach for how we bring recreation leaders, communities, and partners together across the territory.

Beginning in 2026, we will move away from hosting a traditional annual territory-wide conference each year. Instead, we will plan a series of smaller, regional gatherings designed to better reflect the needs, realities, and opportunities within communities across the North.

This shift recognizes that the recreation landscape in the NWT continues to evolve. Rising travel costs, shifting participation patterns, and growing demand for more locally relevant programming have created an opportunity to rethink how we connect and collaborate and how we can best support communities across the North.

Following discussion and direction from the NWTRPA Board of Directors, we will begin transitioning to a new three-year conference and engagement model. In years 1 and 2 of each funding cycle will focus on smaller-scale, regional gatherings connected to the NWTRPA’s three program areas: Professional Development, On the Land, and Active Communities. These events will be designed to respond to regional interests and priorities while reducing travel barriers and increasing accessibility for participants.

In Year 3, we will continue to host a larger, territory-wide conference in Sǫ̀mba K’è / Yellowknife, preserving the opportunity for broader networking, sector-wide discussion, and organizational gathering.

The new model reflects a desire to build stronger relationships with communities while creating events that are focused, practical, and responsive to local needs. Regional gatherings may include leadership summits, land-based training opportunities, wellness-focused events, recreation training, public showcases, and other community-centered activities.

Importantly, this change is not about doing less. It is about doing things differently and adapting to the realities facing recreation organizations and communities across the North. By offering more programming directly into regions and communities, we hope to create more meaningful engagement opportunities while continuing to support recreation leadership and community wellness throughout the territory.

As planning begins for the first round of regional gatherings, the NWTRPA is inviting communities, Indigenous governments, schools, recreation departments, and partner organizations to reach out if they may be interested in hosting or partnering on a future event. At this stage, expressions of interest are informal and intended to help shape early planning discussions.

Organizations interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the NWTRPA now to help shape upcoming gatherings.

We look forward to continuing this work together and building a model that reflects the strengths, realities, and opportunities of recreation in the Northwest Territories.