During a public forum on Thursday evening, several candidates vying for positions in the Yellowknife municipal election deliberated on the role of arts and culture in the city’s decision-making process. Sixteen out of the 21 city council candidates, along with both mayoral contenders, participated in the event.
The forum, organized by the N.W.T. Art Centre Initiative and overseen by Sarah Swan, a curator and art writer based in Yellowknife, commenced with a discussion on the support for arts and its integration with public necessities. Swan emphasized the need for the city government to adopt a more comprehensive approach towards the arts, viewing it as a strategic tool for enhancing the local economy and vital for civic life.
Candidates took turns joining Swan on stage to describe themselves in one word, articulate art in five words, and respond to inquiries regarding the significance of arts and culture at the municipal level. They had the opportunity to prepare for the event by reviewing a list of potential questions beforehand.
Common themes emerged from the candidates’ responses, such as the promotion of Indigenous art, the implementation of the city’s arts and culture master plan, and the synergy between tourism and the arts for mutual growth.
Council candidate Simon Whitehouse, who characterized himself as “wild,” advocated for a more robust representation of Gwich’in, Inuvialuit, and Sahtu Dene arts and culture in Yellowknife to enhance the city’s identity as the capital of the N.W.T. Additionally, Cody Drygeese, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, highlighted the need for increased spaces and opportunities for Indigenous artists to showcase and sell their works, particularly emphasizing support for Indigenous women artists.
The city’s arts and culture master plan, approved in 2022 before the election of the new council, has largely remained unimplemented. Council candidate Gerri Whiteford suggested a reassessment of the plan through enhanced community engagement and innovative methodologies to harness the significant artistic potential within Yellowknife.
Mayoral candidate Garett Cochrane proposed amending the existing arts and culture plan rather than drafting a new one, incorporating it into the council’s operational agenda. Cochrane also recommended transforming the city’s heritage committee into a more comprehensive heritage, arts, and recreation committee.
In discussing the intersection of tourism and the arts at the municipal level, candidates explored ways to leverage both sectors for economic growth. Keneisha Buddoo, a council candidate who described herself as “scintillating,” highlighted the potential to combine tourism and arts offerings, suggesting that enhancing cultural events could attract more visitors and contribute to the local economy.
Some candidates proposed reallocating funds from the Tourist Accommodation Tax, introduced in April 2025 to bolster the tourism sector, towards supporting arts and culture initiatives in Yellowknife. Rylund Johnson, a council candidate, emphasized the necessity of securing a reliable revenue stream for arts and culture funding, with the tax potentially serving as a source, albeit with a significant portion dedicated to destination marketing.
Melissa Syer, a mayoral candidate known for her tenacity, pointed out the tax’s surplus revenue, indicating an opportunity to redirect the excess funds towards arts and culture initiatives to address the city’s cultural needs.
The public forum marked the final scheduled event before the election day on Monday, October 19.