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Alternatives North, originally named 'Northern Support Group,' was formed in April 1977 in support of the principles of aboriginal right to land ownership and self-determination. Initially, the group served to present non-Indigenous, northern opposition to the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. When the name 'Northern Support Group' was officially registered by a group of Yellowknife businessmen supporting the pipeline, the new name Alternatives North was adopted.

Concerns over the written terms of Treaties 8 and 11 prompted the formation of the Indian Brotherhood of the Northwest Territories. Incorporated to represent the Dene people of the Northwest Territories in 1970, it changed its name to Dene Nation in 1978. In July 1975, the Second Dene Assembly, a representative assembly of Dene from all communities in the Mackenzie Valley, adopted the "Dene Declaration" at Fort Simpson. Beyond its work in negotiating land claims, the Dene Nation also oversees programs regarding Dene land and resource development, legal issues, health, community development and education.

At the founding conference of the Native Council of Canada in March, 1972, sixteen Metis from the Northwest Territories established a steering committee with the aim of forming a Metis interest group in the Northwest Territories. The Metis Association of the Northwest Territories headquarters was established in Hay River in April, 1972. The Association's membership at that time numbered 7700. After a period of financial instability, the Metis Association moved to Yellowknife in late-1973 better able to meet its administrative and program requirements established at the first annual General Assembly held earlier that year. The original focus of the Association was on self-help programs at the community level, as well as the development of leadership among northern Metis. After the move to Yellowknife, the focus shifted to establishing Metis title to land and resources, gradually aligning themselves with the Indian Brotherhood of the NWT. Programs run by the Association helped to repair homes in the Western Arctic, raise awareness of drug and alcohol issues in the communities, and as part of its cultural program, produce a history of the Metis entitled "Our Metis Heritage" in 1976. At this time, the Metis Association also managed the health claims of its members. Although not negotiating land claims directly, the Metis Association provided administrative support to the Indian Brotherhood of the NWT and some of its members sat on the Joint Dene Land Claims Negotiating Committee alongside the Indian Brotherhood (later called the Dene Nation). In 1988, the Metis Heritage Association was formed from the existing Metis Association, handling cultural affairs of the Metis of the NWT. The Metis Association of the NWT changed its name to the Metis Nation in the early 1990s. The Metis Nation closed its Yellowknife head office in the summer of 2001.

The Northwest Territories Options for Women group was formed in 1976. It was a group established to offer support and address issues pertaining to women such as single parenting, childcare and health care.

In May of 1973, a Northwest Territories Status of Women Conference was held as a precursor to a Western "Opportunities for Women" conference held in Vancouver. Sixty women, forty of whom were from Yellowknife, attended the Northwest Territories Conference. Women in Yellowknife saw the need for an on-going committee to work on their concerns including: marriage property laws; education and job benefits; childcare information and opportunities for all women. In response, the Northwest Territories Status of Women Action Committee formed and affiliated itself with the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. Alison McAteer was selected to coordinate the committee. In 1975, International Women's Year, the NWT Status of Women Action Committee organized the Yellowknife Women's Festival. They were also involved in the design and sale of a poster celebrating the NWT Status of Women Action Committee entitled "Our Time Is Now."

The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and representing the mining industry. The years leading up to 1967 saw increasing attention directed towards government affairs in the Northwest Territories. As both the mining industry and government became aware of the need for a centre of contact that could represent the views of the mining industry, a group of interested individuals applied for a Charter to form the Northwest Territories Chamber of Mines. The original meeting held in February 1967, was chaired by Charles Vaydik and attended by several Yellowknifers. The Constitution and By-Laws were signed by Charles Vaydik, R.W. Spence, F.A. McCall, Norman W. Byrne and Mark M. de Weerdt, and witnessed by Carol Repchuk and Elizabeth R. Byrne.

The objectives of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines as outlined in the constitution: to encourage, assist and stimulate prosperous, orderly and environmentally responsible development and growth of mining and mineral exploration, in all modes and phases, in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada; to consider, study and discuss matters of public interest affecting the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and other parts of Canada in relation to mining and mineral exploration; to encourage, assist and undertake research and inquiries into matters relating to mining and mineral exploration, particularly in reference to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada; to inform the public of matters relating to mining and minerals exploration particularly in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada; to cooperate with and seek the co-operation of all persons, associations, corporations and authorities, both public and private, to attain these objectives; and to be the leading advocate for responsible sustainable mineral exploration and development in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada.

The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines elects a Board of Directors comprising 24 members. Executive positions of the Board are: President, Vice-President Northwest Territories, Vice-President Nunavut, Secretary/Treasurer and Past President. The Board of Directors meets as required to carry out the objectives of the organization.

The Chamber of Mines operates out of an office in Yellowknife, staffed by the Executive Director, Office Manager and Analyst, and an office in Iqaluit, NU staffed by the General Manager, Nunavut. The Chamber acts as the point of contact for the NWT & Nunavut Mining industry, researches current issues, arranges meetings, and assists in organizing special events including the annual Geoscience Forum and Nunavut Mining Symposium, NWT Mining Week, and the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting.

The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines has the responsibility and mandate to represent the interests and concerns of the mining industry in theNorthwest Territories and Nunavut. The Chamber continues to address the major issues facing the industry, including: land alienation and single-use land withdrawals, increasing public awareness of mining’s substantial economic and social roles in northern development, mineral policy and legislation and environmental regulation, taxation issues, the long-standing need for a broader base of infrastructure support, and devolution of responsibility for mineral resources from the Federal to Territorial government.

The NWT Chamber of Mines publishes several promotional products and publications as well as a website. Services to members include use of a reference library, access to, and distribution of, government publications, and updates on mining legislation, land claims and other issues pertinent to the minerals industry.

Shortly after division of the Northwest Territories created the new territory of Nunavut in April 1999, the organization’s Board of Directors and members voted to change the Chamber’s name to “The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines” to further express its representation of the mineral industry in both Territories.

In 1976, an informal committee was organized by concerned citizens to act upon issues affecting disabled persons. The participation of NWT disabled athletes in southern competitions, a manual entitled "Resources for the Handicapped in Yellowknife" and a study of recreation services for the disabled in Yellowknife were some of the first projects undertaken by the committee. In 1978, a registered society was created, initially operating under the name the N.W.T. Council for the Disabled; the name was later changed in 1980 to the N.W.T. Council for Disabled Persons. The goals and objectives of the Council are: 1) to encourage disabled individuals to identify and express their needs for a personally satisfying lifestyle; 2) to identify and help maximize the resources available to disabled citizens to pursue their chosen lifestyle; and 3) to promote and lobby for rights and interests of persons with disabilities. The focus of the Council has shifted from sports and recreation for the disabled, to all issues affecting the needs and rights of disabled people in the Northwest Territories.

OutNorth was a non-profit organisation that aimed to provide support, awareness and advocacy for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in Yellowknife.

In May 1997, OutNorth was registered under the Societies Act and held its first Board Meeting. Initial board members included Zoe Raemer, Andrea Markowski, Melissa Cousins, Heather Hay, and Nadine Scott. The volunteer-run group did not receive government funding, but raised funds privately, typically through silent auctions and membership fees. The group grew from about 35 members in 1997 to 60 in 1999.

The organization’s original mandate included the following objectives:
a) to offer philanthropic support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered community of Yellowknife;
b) to educate its own membership regarding issues of particular interest to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered persons in Yellowknife;
c) to educate regarding the existence, positive contributions, of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered persons in Yellowknife;
d) to educate the public regarding homosexuality for the purpose of public enlightenment and acceptance of a diversely populated Yellowknife;
e) to organize and participate in social, artistic, literary and sporting events of interest to the Society's membership

OutNorth operated an information phone line, offered educational outreach with public schools and other organisations, and coordinated social events including Yellowknife Pride, Valentines parties, Halloween parties, movie nights, BBQs, potluck suppers, and glow bowling. In 1998, OutNorth successfully requested that Yellowknife City Council proclaim an official Gay Pride Day. (Other groups and individuals had requested this, unsuccessfully, in previous years)

One of the group's main activities was lobbying the Government of the Northwest Territories for family law revisions. Following changes to the NWT Adoption Act, Family Law Act, and Human Rights Legislation in the Northwest Territories, in the mid-2000s (ca. 2005-2007) the group reduced its activities and transferred its funds to It Gets Better Yellowknife, which became the Rainbow Coalition (now the Northern Mosaic Network).