Yellowknife city council voted in favour of a half a day civic holiday for Friday March 20 in recognition of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation annual spring carnival.
The city’s declaration recognizes the Dene festival that sees hundreds of people from across the region gather each year in Dettah to take part in traditional and Northern activities and celebrations. Officials say most city workers and employees of organizations and businesses supporting the carnival will get half a day off on Friday.
Declaring the civic holiday is aimed at supporting Yellowknifers to participate in YKDFN community activities and strengthen community relationships.
“YKDFN leadership supports this proposed action by the City and encourages Yellowknifers to attend the planned Carnival events. Procedural The City must declare a civic holiday by-law. The City is required to advise the GNWT as soon as a decision is made if there will be a half-day civic holiday in 2026,” read a council statement from city Mayor Ben Hendriksen for Wednesday’s special meeting.
Earlier this week, City Manager Stephen Van Dine called the council meeting in accordance with Section 27 of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act of the Northwest Territories and Section 9 of By-law No. 5119, council’s procedures By-law.
The purpose of the meeting is to give first, second and third Readings of By-law No. 5127, a by-law to declare the civic holiday.
“Yellowknife City Council has declared a half-day civic holiday in recognition of the YKDFN Spring Carnival since March 2023. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) supports one-half day holiday per year for community-declared events such as carnivals or jamborees and looks to each community to confirm if/when events are happening,” read the council statement.
In the past, the territorial government have also informally adopted the holiday.
City councillor Ryan Fequet said that in the past there have been challenges identified by members because of the school schedule. Councillor Fequet said that this year the carnival aligns with March break scheduled at area schools.
Van Dine said that this could be a point of discussion for the joint council meeting being planned for May with the Dene chiefs.
The YKDFN Spring Carnival takes place Friday to Sunday.
On Wednesday, the city of Yellowknife released a schedule of amended service hours for city hall and the municipal enforcement offices, both closing 12:00 p.m. on Friday. According to the announcement, the Fieldhouse, the Multiplex, Aquatic Centre, Yellowknife Public Library, Community Arena, Visitor Information Centre, Solid Waste Facility, Garbage Collection, Trucked Water and Sewer Pumpout, MED Emergency Services and YKTransit (including YKFlex) will operate on their regular schedule on Friday.
Officials said who would like more information ca reach out to the city at (867) 920-5600.
