The Northwest Territories Development Corporation was established in 1990. Its primary mission was to invest funding, received from the Government of the NWT to enhance community employment opportunities. The Development Corporation fulfilled this mandate by incorporating, establishing and operating businesses or by directing projects that would create employment and income opportunities in the communities of the NWT. It also invested in business enterprises to stimulate the growth of businesses and promoted the economic objectives of the Government of the NWT. The corporation acted as an agent of the Government of the NWT and as a public agent was required to respect the authority of the Financial Administration Act. The day to day operation of the corporation were overseen by a President; however it was governed via a Board of Directors. The corporation had three core committees: The Audit Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Investment Committee.
On January 14, 1969, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories announced the formation of the Northwest Territories Historical Advisory Board. The function of the Board was to advise the Commissioner on issues concerning the preservation of the history of the north. The Board was composed of nine members appointed by the Commissioner and a permanent secretary. The members' terms were limited to a maximum of five years and each member, with the exception of the Chairman, represented the interests of a specific region of the Northwest Territories. Each member would be responsible for informing the Board on historical matters in their area. The first Chairman of the Board was Alexander Stevenson, who worked out of Ottawa. The NWT Historical Advisory Board was responsible for all aspects of the preservation of history in the Northwest Territories and was given the authority to acquire artifacts and archives on behalf of the government. Furthermore, the Board made recommendations regarding the naming of geographical features, researched and counseled the Commissioner on the advisability to issue permits for archaeological research, started a programme to plaque and commemorate historical sites and undertook the task of planning the construction of a museum in Yellowknife. In 1975, the Historical Advisory Board was transferred from the Executive Secretariat to the Department of Natural and Cultural Affairs and replaced with Museum and Historical Programs.
In 1976, the Commissioner approved the formation of the Status of Women Committee. In 1978, this committee was asked by the Commissioner to develop a territorial plan of action. This was in response to similar activities occurring at both the national and provincial levels in Canada. The aim of the plan of action was to promote equality between the sexes. The Status of Women Committee formed an ad hoc committee with representatives from each department to develop the territorial plan of action. The ad hoc committee examined numerous issues including: employment opportunities; education and training; family responsibilities; health and nutrition; political participation; communications and culture. A conference entitled "Breaking New Ground" was organized for May 2, 1979 in order for the ad hoc committee to gather the opinions of all interested Government of the Northwest Territories female employees. On May 23, 1979, because of the discussions of the ad hoc committee, departmental submissions and the recommendations of the "Breaking New Ground" Conference, a Territorial Plan of Actions was submitted to the Executive.
The Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories was established by the Status of Women Council Act in 1988. The Council fulfills an advisory role and reports to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories through the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. The Government of the Northwest Territories does not employ the members of the Council; rather the Council is funded through contribution agreements. The objectives of the Council are to: develop public awareness of issues affecting the status of women; promote a change in attitudes within the community in order that women may enjoy equality of opportunity; encourage discussion and expression of opinion by residents of the Northwest Territories on issues affecting the status of women; advise the Minister of issues that the Minister may refer to the Council for consideration; review policies and legislation affecting women and to report its findings to the relevant government departments or agencies; provide assistance to the Minister in promoting changes to ensure the attainment of equality for women; and provide the appropriate assistance to organizations and groups whose objectives promote the equality of women. The Women's Advisory, which is part of the Minister's Offices of the Department of the Executive, provides a point of contact within the Territorial Government on issues of concern to women and advice and support to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Women's Advisory administers a Grants and Contributions program, which supports and provides liaison with the Status of Women Council and other organizations that enhance the cultural, economic, political and social participation of women in society.
The Science Institute of the Northwest Territories (SINT) was established April 1, 1985 by the NWT Legislative Assembly as a non-profit corporation operating at arm’s-length from the GNWT. SINT was headed by an Executive Director, reporting to a Chairman and Board of Directors. The Board consisted of seven to thirteen members, 50 percent of whom had to be NWT residents.
SINT grew out of the Science Advisory Board, which had filled the need to provide advice to the Legislative Assembly on scientific, engineering, and technology matters from 1976 to 1984. By the time the Science Institute Act was passed in May 1984, the desire for a Science Institute was already well-established, being discussed previously in the Legislature and by the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.
SINT was established “to foster science in the Northwest Territories, to increase public awareness of scientific activities and ensure northern participation in scientific and technological research, programs and activities.” SINT aimed to assist the scientific community, identify, coordinate and conduct research, provide advice, and license scientific research under the NWT Scientists Act. The first meeting of the SINT Board took place in August 1985 under Chairman Dr. James M. Harrison, a former member of the Science Advisory Board. Robert R. (Bob) Janes was appointed to the position of Executive Director later that year and began work in March 1986. Harrison was succeeded as Board Chairman by John H. Parker, former NWT Commissioner in March 1989. Janes was succeeded as Executive Director by J. D. (Doug) Heyland in August 1989.
Activities of SINT included: advising Legislative Assembly, licensing scientific research, publishing papers and a newsletter, training, conducting research and studies, engaging in liason and committee work, encouraging science fairs and creating resources, running cross-cultural science camps, teaching and participating in workshops and seminars, writing newspaper and radio scripts on northern science topics, delivering the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Programme (starting in 1989), and directing the Technology Development Program (starting 1990) to seek technologies which could be adapted for use in the NWT. In 1988, the Northern Scientific Resource Centres of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, located in Inuvik, Igloolik (Iglulik), and Iqaluit, were transferred to SINT, which continued to operate them to provide logistical support to scientists in the field.
In June 1992, the Government Leader announced decentralization of some government areas, including the Science Institute, to various communities outside Yellowknife. Options were proposed and debated by the SINT Board and NWT government. In March 1993, direction was given by the Minister Responsible for SINT to examine the relationship between SINT, Arctic College, and the Department of Education to see how relations could be strengthened. The amalgamation of SINT and Arctic College began to be discussed. At the end of May 1993, the Minister announced that Arctic College and the Science Institute would be integrated. Executive Director Heyland was requested to retire early and Mark Cleveland, president of Arctic College, was appointed in his place. Steve Richards became the new Chairperson of Board when John Parker’s term ended in April 1993.
After the division of the Territories into NWT and Nunavut in 1999 and the resulting division of Arctic College, SINT devolved into the Nunavut Research Institute at Nunavut Arctic College and Aurora Research Institute at Aurora College.