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Featured, News, Politics March 5, 2025

Low vaccination rates put most vulnerable people at serious risk, says NWT Health Minister

‘Addressing vaccine hesitancy in Indigenous communities … requires building trust through culturally safe care and meaningful engagement,’ says Lesa Semmler

Vaccine hesitancy and online misinformation are weakening trust in the science, leaving residents — especially elders and children — vulnerable to preventable diseases, says Health Minister Lesa Semmler. Measles vaccination rates amongst two-year-olds have dropped from nearly 90-per-cent in 2019 to just over 82-per-cent in 2024 — well below the…

Featured, News, Politics March 4, 2025

American liquor purchases frozen, as GNWT does what it can in Trump Trade War

'It might be a difficult few years for us, but I know that we're going to stay united and we're going to resist,' says Premier R.J. Simpson

Take a hike Jack and Jim — that’s Daniels and Beam, respectively — as American-made alcohol products will no longer be purchased by the NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission. That’s one of the only direct moves the NWT can take at present to protest United States President Donald Trump’s 25-per-cent…

Featured, News, Police March 4, 2025

RCMP seek witnesses after gunshots, arson attempt in Fort Resolution

Police say no suspects have been identified

Police are seeking witnesses to assist in an investigation into gunshots and an arson attempt in Fort Resolution early Monday morning. According to a news release, officers responded to a report of gunshots near a residence on Rental Road on March 3. Upon arrival, they also found an attempt to…

Featured, News, Politics March 3, 2025

Speaker to MLAs: ‘We were not elected to quarrel and bicker’

Shane Thompson admonishes NWT Assembly after two MLA complaints in one week over conduct of their peers

Open and respectful communication between all Members is the most essential feature of consensus government. While it is impossible to reach unanimous agreement on all issues, the opportunity for all Members to have meaningful input into important decisions is fundamental. – From Consensus Government in the NWT Guiding Principles The…

Featured, News, Police March 3, 2025

Security officer threatened with firearm outside Stanton Hospital

25-year-old Brenden Qirngnirq of Yellowknife has been charged with several offences

A security officer was threatened with a firearm outside Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife on Saturday afternoon, say RCMP. “A person entered the facility in a hostile state,” stated a public notice from the NWT Health and Social Services Authority. The suspect fled the scene before police arrived but was…

Featured, News, Police March 3, 2025

Women arrested after serious stabbing in Fort Good Hope

Police believe there is no risk to the general public, as the victim and suspect are known to each other

A Fort Good Hope woman is in custody and a victim in hospital after a stabbing on Friday. Shortly after 7 p.m. on February 28th, the RCMP detachment received a report that a person had been stabbed several times, stated a release. The victim received serious injuries and was subsequently…

Featured, Health, News February 28, 2025

Feds invest $1.9M in smoking cessation program

Initiative follows Ottawa Model to help NWT residents quit tobacco

The federal government is investing more than $1.9 million to support a tobacco cessation program designed to help NWT residents quit smoking. Announced by NWT MP Michael McLeod and Minister of Health Lesa Semmler on Friday afternoon, the program will follow the Ottawa Model for smoking cessation, a widely used…

Featured, News, Politics February 28, 2025

Cell service dead zones, cash for communities and another upset MLA round out the week

The availability of consumer cell phones with emergency satellite connectivity could alleviate some drivers' concerns, says Minister Wawzonek

On Friday, Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya raised the longstanding issue of cell reception dead zones along major highways, especially the busy stretch between Fort Providence-Behchokǫ̀-Yellowkife. “People have safety concerns regarding the inability to call for help if something were to happen while travelling on our highways,” said Yakeleya. “Some people…

Featured, News, Police February 28, 2025

65-year-old man arrested after armed threat incident in Tsiigehtchic

Police found no firearm in his residence

Tsiigehtchic was placed under a temporary lockdown following reports of an armed threat on Thursday afternoon. According to a news release from Fort McPherson RCMP, a man allegedly made threats to obtain a firearm and discharge it in the community. Officers responded and located the suspect, a 65-year-old man, who…

Featured, News, Politics, Weather February 28, 2025

Norman Wells is ‘a community living in fear,’ says Sahtu MLA

NWT Assembly passes motion declaring a humanitarian state of emergency for the regional centre

The Sahtu region’s hub of Norman Wells is in a dire situation, with residents living in fear and some already choosing to move away, says MLA Danny McNeely. The MLA presented a motion declaring a state of emergency for Norman Wells due to severe impacts from climate change, including rising…