Prior to the creation of Nunavut in 1999, there were five census division in the NWT. Their boundaries were altered somewhat as part of the adjustment.
NorthwestTerritories elects members to the Legislative Assembly of the NorthwestTerritories under a non-partisan system known as consensus government.
From 1869 to 1876 the NorthwestTerritories was run by an interim government, first led by lieutenant-governor William McDougall, and a council appointed by Ottawa.
The council was renamed to an assembly and was dissolved in 1888.