[1] It was created as a permanent replacement to the Temporary North-West Council which existed prior to 1876.

It was replaced in 1891 by the 1st North-West Assembly when the quota of elected members was reached.

This created a patchwork of represented and unrepresented areas, and there was no official or independent boundaries commission; all electoral law at the beginning was under the purview of the Lieutenant Governor.

Electors participating in the Northwest Territories elections did not vote by secret ballot until the 1893 Whitewood by-election.

The election saw 11 members in 9 new districts returned to the council, due to high rate of population growth in the North-west Territories at the time.