Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Politics, Weather July 31, 2024

Time to make big waves as NWT’s water on decline

‘This water conference has to be like a movement — like it was with the Berger Inquiry, which was just about oil,' says Dene National Chief George Mackenzie


A major three-day conference on the health and volume of water in the NWT starts tomorrow in Kátl’odeeche First Nation (KFN), examining the downstream results of upstream mining mega projects and hydro dams. Keepers of the Water has partnered with the First Nation and the Canadian Association of Physicians for…

Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation July 29, 2024

Three days in Dettah: Dene Nation calls for less talk, more action on key issues

Dene National Assembly heard about drug dealers maiming indebted addicts, poor relations with the GNWT and outside threats to the water system


Delegates to the 54th Dene National Assembly came prepared to tackle the toughest issues dragging their communities down. Many demanded less talk and more action to rid communities of drug dealers, get a better command of the organization’s finances and get the remaining land claims agreements over the finish line….

Events, Featured, News, Politics July 24, 2024

Calls for Dene Nation to finally build its own headquarters

Chief Ernest Betsina tells 54th Dene National Assembly it’s time to develop income-producing assets


The Dene Nation should construct its own building, for use as a central gathering place and also to reduce the nearly $630,000 in rent each year for its existing offices. The 54th Dene National Assembly in Dettah’s 400-person Chief Drygeese Conference Centre was standing room only from the start today…

Art, Entertainment, Featured, Life Style, News July 22, 2024

Large crowds enjoy music, art and food at Folk on the Rocks

Looking forward to next year, the festival is developing a strategic plan which includes an Indigenous advisory circle


With most of the NWT suffering through drought conditions — and as fire pits stayed dark with bans everywhere in the southern regions on open flames — wildfire smoke really only blanketed Folk on the Rocks (FOTR) on Saturday night. Sure, there was a severe weather warning in the North…

Environment, Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 21, 2024

Firefighters battle second trail camp fire in Yellowknife

There are regional fire bans in place for the Dehcho, North Slave and South Slave


Municipal firefighters are investigating another human caused fire in Yellowknife. A wooden tent platform for unregistered camping near the NWT Legislative Assembly was burned in the blaze, reported Cabin Radio. Responding firefighters required streets to be closed and bus service through Niven neighbourhood was re-directed. Amy E. Kennedy is a…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 20, 2024

UPDATED: Open flames immediately banned across southern Northwest Territories

There is high to extreme wildfire danger driven by 'extraordinary weather and drought conditions,' says NWT Fire


Any thoughts about having a campfire this weekend across the entire southern half of the Northwest Territories have been extinguished with GNWT fire restrictions implemented immediately. Mike Westwick is the territory’s manager of Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation. “These bans are being implemented due to high to extreme wildfire danger and…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 19, 2024

Lightning sparks two wildfires near Whatì; Fort Res area still blanketed in smoke

Following a 'strong, successful initial attack' crews have a 'good handle' on fire closest fire the community, says NWT Fire


A wildfire 20 kilometres north of Whatì has forced the diversion of NWT Fire crews from a blaze about 50 kilometres from that lakeside Tlicho community. Weather conditions had influenced Wednesday’s lightning-caused fire ZF026 to grow significantly to the north along the west shores of Lac La Martre. Thomas Bentham…