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Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to follow up with federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne about concerns that Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (Yk1) may not receive funding to keep dozens of educational assistants for next year.

That promise is according to a joint statement from Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland and Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler issued on Wednesday. It notes that when both they and Premier R.J. Simpson were in Ottawa earlier this month, Simpson raised the issue directly with Carney in a one-on-one meeting.

"We appreciate the Prime MinisterSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s concern and his commitment to follow up with the federal Finance Minister to ensure this issue is addressed at the highest levels," their statement reads.

For now, Yk1 is still facing a funding shortfall for the 2025-26 school year because of changes to the Jordan's Principle program, the Canadian government's legal obligation to ensure First Nations children have access to adequate public services, such as education. 

Shirley Zouboules, Yk1's superintendent, told SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½ that it has submitted applications to Indigenous Services Canada, based on need, in February, March and April, but has yet to hear back.

Cleveland and Semmler are both calling on the federal government to provide the necessary funding to support the district. If funding isn't renewed, it would mean 79 educational assistants will be out of work at the end of this current school year.

"JordanSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s Principle isnSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t just a program SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” itSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s a solution. It has helped close longstanding gaps in services, supported student success, and improved educational outcomes," their statement reads.

It also reports that graduation rates for Indigenous students in the NWT have jumped by six per cent over the past three years.

"That kind of progress matters," their statement reads. "Right now, itSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s at risk."

The statement warns that the cuts will worsen inequities and dismantle other supports that were showing progress including education, early childhood development, child and family services and mental health and addictions.

It also noted that new administrative requirements like mandatory referrals from health professionals are adding pressure to an already strained healthcare system in the NWT.

"These changes risk diverting critical clinical resources away from frontline care, just as we are working to reduce red tape and improve access across the health and social services system," the statement reads.

"This isnSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t just a budget issue SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” it risks undermining the very intent of JordanSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s Principle. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that no First Nations child should be denied access to services because of jurisdictional wrangling or administrative hurdles. ThatSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s what led to the creation of this program. Rolling it back now would mean breaking that promise," the statement adds.

Both ministers are asking Ottawa to maintain current funding levels through at least 2026 while collaborating with Northern and Indigenous partners.