Email in Canvas is a separate account/function from NWTC mymail accounts. They are not tied together for use. Use Canvas email to manage communication between your instructor and classmates.
In Canvas, click the Inbox to view your unread and read Canvas messages.
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You can filter your messages by course, group, or type (such as Inbox, Unread, Starred, Sent, Archived, and Submission Comments). You can write a new email by clicking the compose icon (paper and pencil icon). You can also search for conversations.
When you select a conversation, you can reply, reply to all, archive, delete, forward, mark the conversation as read or unread, and start conversations.
Visit this guide for detailed instructions on using the Canvas inbox.