Articles by James O'Connor

Sweltering heat wave feeding two South Slave wildfires

Both blazes south of Fort Resolution and Little Buffalo River overnight ‘have grown considerably,’ says NWT Fire


Hot, dry and windy conditions continue to work against efforts to stomp out two naturally caused wildfires south of Fort Resolution. NWT Fire spokesperson Tom Bentham stated today that after, “an evening of increased fire activity, both fires have grown considerably.” “Today’s objective is to decrease fire intensity with aggressive…


NWT Fire claims ‘significant reduction in fire activity’ at Fort Resolution after hard-fought night

However, there remains a risk to cabins, camps and infrastructure in the evacuated Little Buffalo River area


Hot and dry conditions are making it challenging for firefighters and aircraft to bring two wild blazes in the South Slave near Little Buffalo River under control. Winds are currently pushing to the northwest at an estimated 10 to 15 km/h, slowly towards Fort Resolution. Fire SS040, now 13 hectares,…


Nahanni Butte’s water spoiled by the mineral manganese

Infants, children under five, pregnant women should not drink the tap water in a situation that could take months to fully rectify


Infants, children under five, and pregnant women in Nahanni Butte should not drink the community’s tap water due to high levels of manganese caused by a failure at the water treatment plant. Adults and older children are at a lower risk in that Dehcho community, but should still take precautions,…



UPDATED: More ferry fixes throw wrench into territorial highway system

Liard River ferry MV Lafferty is the third vessel this season to be pulled for unplanned repairs


With the MV Lafferty out of service at a key crossing in the Dehcho, the GNWT announced it will conduct what it called “essential dredging work” at the Liard River Ferry Landings between August 15 and September 18. At kilometre marker 457 on Highway 1 just southeast of Fort Simpson,…


Kele Antoine re-elected chief of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation

'As we move forward, it is crucial for us to come together as a community,' says Antoine


Kele Antoine has been re-elected as chief of Łııdlı̨ı̨ Kųę First Nation. Antoine won by nine votes over Mavis Cli-Michaud, who had 110 votes in Thursday’s election at Fort Simpson. The re-elected chief on Facebook expressed appreciation: “It was a very close contest, and I want to extend my heartfelt…



NWT diamond mines: ‘Billions of dollars being made … we got nothing to show for it.’

Łutsel K'e Coun. John Catholique tells Kimberlite Conference any future mine deals must be fairer, or 'nothing's going to happen'


Diamonds are considered to be the universal symbol of love and wealth. But after nearly three decades of watching massive diamond mines blast deep into its traditional hunting grounds, the Łutselk’è Dene First Nation feels slighted, as it has little to show for agreeing to the drilling in the 1990’s….


NWT Fire to Fort Good Hope returnees: ‘The fire has changed the land you live on … the forest will grow back.’

The massive wildfire is not out, but community is secure, as there is very little forest fuel left nearby


The Fort Good Hope wildfire — which forced the evacuation of the community for three weeks  — has transitioned to a mop up stage and the line adjacent to the community is secure. Chief Collin Pierrot stated in a social media post late Saturday night that the last plane was…