The records, transferred from the Federal Government in Ottawa to Yellowknife in 1967 include administrative and operational files. These files incorporate: correspondence, reports, vital statistic information, financial data, minutes, and a wide variety of reference material kept by the department. The files were classified via a numerical block system. The block system consisted of primary, secondary and tertiary levels such that a composite file number (for example 311-105-93) would represent a progression from general subject matter to a specific subject and/or location. The primary number block consisted of: 100 - Administration; 200 - Economic and Industrial Development; 300 - Engineering Projects; 400 - Forests and Game; 500 - Public Service; 600 - Education; 700 - Lands Division: Public Lands; 800 - Lands Division: Territorial Lands and Timber; 900 - Resources; 1000 - General files on settlements, associations, companies, provinces, foreign countries, Inuit affairs, and resources; 20 - Individual case files; 3 - Personnel and organizational files. These broad blocks were subsequently divided in smaller units and secondary and tertiary blocks. For example Forests and Games (400) subdivides into Warden Service (420), or Fisheries (430). None of the 700, 800 or 900 block files were forwarded to the NWT Archives. Moreover, at the time of transfer from Ottawa, it appears that other records from the file blocks brought to Yellowknife in 1967 were culled in Ottawa.
The 100 block consists of 1.1 metres of files pertaining to the general administration of the Northern Administration Branch of the federal government. Included in the files are minutes of staff meetings and conferences, records relating to the relationship between Federal and Territorial governments including financial agreements and transfer of responsibilities, organizational charts, personnel information including policies and directives, band membership returns, and correspondence relating to these subjects. Some of these files also contain photographs. This block consists of files 1-1 to 9-2.
The 200 block covers aspects of federal involvement with the Inuit not covered under the other designated subject areas (such as education). The Inuit are referred to as "Eskimo" in these records. The material is primarily from the 1960's. Within this block are two series:
- Arctic [200-209]
- Eskimo Affairs [250-259, 270]
Information relating to engineering projects has been grouped into the 300 block. Within this block are six series:
- [300-309] Engineering Projects
- [310-319] Buildings - Construction & Maintenance
- [320-329] Allocation of Space
- [330-339] Public Utilities
- [340-349] Communications
- [350-359] Transportation
This block consists of the following series:
- [400-409] Game
- [420-429] Warden Service
- [430-439] Fishing
- [440-449] Forestry
- [460-469] Settlement Fire Protection
- [470-479] Special Projects
This block contains the following series:
- [500-510] Administration of the N.W.T. - Council
- [520-529] Municipal Administration - N.W.T. & Y.T.
- [530-539] Ordinances - N.W.T.
- [540-549] Justice - Police Services
- [550-559] Health
- [560-569] Welfare & Social Services
- [570-579] [Territorial Secretariat] Misc.
- [590-599] Liquor, N.W.T.
This block contains the following series:
- [600-609] [Education] General
- [610-619] Teachers
- [620-629] Curriculum
- [630-639] Schools Administration
- [640-649] School Supplies & Equipment
- [660-669] Professional Organizations
- [670-679] Recreation and Welfare (Schools)
- [680-689] Vocational Training
- [690-699] Adult Education
The 1000 block covers general information about settlements, Indian, Metis and Inuit, and associations representing them, sensitive or confidential material, federal government operations not under Northern Affairs Branch, and miscellaneous subjects. The block contains the following series:
- [1000-1009] General
- [1010-1019] Miscellaneous Subjects
Two copies of the brochure entitled '1976 Olympics Government of the NWT Arts and Crafts' / Les Arts et L'artisanat Gouvernement des Territoires du nord-ouest Olympiques 1976. [Intro by Commissioner Stuart Hodgson]
A copy of an introduction to the demonstrations of games and dancing and drumming performed by NWT residents for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Showcase. A couple of copies of related newspaper articles.
The records detail the regular and special meetings of the Council of the Northwest Territories from 1921 to 1951 (sessions 1 to 201). There are several parallel series containing minutes, agendas, and attachments, including reports, Orders in Council and Ordinances, correspondence, and occasionally photographs or maps, relating to the agenda items. products of meetings (Orders in Council, Ordinances) of the NWT Council. The first series contains the "official" set of files, including signed minutes for most meetings. Other record sets that cover some the same meetings, but may include different and more attachments, are found in the second and third series: Records of Council Members and Secretary's Files and Session Papers. The Records of Council Members series also includes records of the Advisory Board on Mining Regulations (1922-30). The last two series contain Ordinances and Orders in Council related to the Northwest Territories and associated indices.
The file consists of an unsigned precis of business transacted and attachments for the 1st session of the Council of the Northwest Territories. The signed version of the precis can be found in file G-1979-042: 13-8.
The file consists of the signed minutes for the 10th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories.
The file consists of the signed minutes for the 11th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories. Meeting packages and other attachments (some original) can be found in file G-1979-042: 14-3.
The file consists of the signed minutes for the 12th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories.
The file consists of the signed minutes and attachments for the 13th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories.
The file consists of the signed minutes and attachments for the 14th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories.
The file consists of the signed minutes and an attachment for the 15th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories.
The file consists of the signed minutes and an attachment for the 16th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories.
The file consists of the signed minutes and attachments for the 17th session of the Council of the Northwest Territories.