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Featured, News, Wildfires May 29, 2025

Fire ban issued in Fort Simpson as wildfire risk grows across NWT

Out-of-control fire near Fort Smith and lightning risk prompt warning from NWT Fire


A fire ban is now in place for the village of Fort Simpson, issued as a precaution despite the community’s current low fire danger level. The ban prohibits open-air fires, fireworks, burning of debris or yard waste, and the use of outdoor wood-burning stoves. CSA-approved propane-fuelled fire pits and barbecues,…

Featured, News, Politics May 29, 2025

Jordan’s Principle funding shortfalls fail students with loss of teaching assistants

‘When schools reopen this fall, a crisis of Indigenous education will begin,’ says MLA Richard Edjericon


Significant cuts coming to the Jordan’s Principle program — a federal program that many schools depend on to support their students — are taking a toll on education assistants in some small communities. Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon painted a very cloudy picture of what schools could look like when…

Featured, News, Police May 28, 2025

Two men on bail face gun, drug charges after reports of a sexual assault

Three people in total arrested, including a 61-year-old woman who also faces a count of forcible confinement


Two Yellowknife men on bail, and both under weapons prohibition orders, face a host of serious charges after a person had allegedly been forcibly confined and sexually assaulted at a residence on Bigelow Crescent. In total, three people were arrested after a major police operation on the residential street in…

Featured, Health, News May 28, 2025

Gwich’in author shares stories of hope from her new book

Yellowknife Books hosted the second launch event for Agnes Pascal's new book on cancer survival in the NWT


To help provide reassurance and guidance to NWT residents struggling with cancer, Gwich’in author Agnes Pascal recently held two launch events for her new release, Book of Hope: Healthcare and Survival in the North. The first event was held at the Nihat Gwich’in Council building in Inuvik on Monday, May…

Featured, News, Politics May 28, 2025

Residents, downtown homeless campers ‘all have to get along,’ says Premier R.J. Simpson

One city MLA calls for compassion, while other says nearby residents ‘held hostage’ by season’s first encampment downtown


“There’s no legal authority for us to remove an encampment. We can’t go down there with a bulldozer and knock it down. We have to work with the individuals who are staying there … help them find somewhere to stay, whether that’s a shelter, whether that’s a different location that’s…

Culture, Featured, News, Politics May 27, 2025

Dene National Chief Mackenzie advocates for national indigenous participation

Chief George Mackenzie has been in Ottawa to discuss treaty rights with other Indigenous leaders


Dene National Chief George Mackenzie has been in Ottawa for the last few days, where he has joined a number of other Indigenous leaders who are calling for the Federal Government to show more respect to Indigenous treaties. Chief Mackenzie stated that the main message he would like the government…

Featured, News, Politics May 27, 2025

Proposed bill would create most comprehensive workers compensation coverage for firefighters in Canada

'Imagine if you knew that just going to work every day was increasing your risk of cancer and heart disease, yet you do it everything with pride and with love,' says MLA Kieron Testart


Many NWT communities already have difficulty recruiting and retaining their firefighters and first responders, so it’s hoped a private members bill that increases medical insurance will change that. The First Responders Workers Compensation Amendment Act is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for firefighters and first responders, including all cancers and…

Featured, Justice, News May 26, 2025

Former NWT teacher found guilty of multiple sexual offences

A former Northwest Territories teacher has been found guilty of sexually abusing students, following a three-week trial in Yellowknife earlier this month.


  A former teacher in the Northwest Territories has been found guilty of multiple sexual offences following a recent trial. Neil Barry was found guilty earlier this month after a three-week trial in Yellowknife. The charges were tied to past incidents investigated by the RCMP in 2021. Sentencing will be…

Featured, Housing, News, Politics May 26, 2025

GNWT to allow homeless encampments this summer on Commissioner’s land

Temporary tents in surrounding wooded areas are allowed, 'provided applicable regulations and bylaws are followed,' says Housing NWT


After a turbulent summer last year of chasing homeless encampments and the associated illegal activities around Yellowknife, the territorial government will allow tents to be set up on its land. Announcing on the weekend it “is aware” of what appears to be the first encampment of the season, the GNWT’s…