Articles by Connor Pitre

Community, Culture, Featured, News, Reconciliation June 18, 2025

Akaitcho Hall history brought into Art Centre discussion

'There has not been a lot of attention from historians about Akaitcho Hall,' says historian Crystal Fraser


The first public meeting on using the former Akaitcho Hall location for a new Art Centre was held Tuesday night in Yellowknife. The meeting was held at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, and was attended by many community members who engaged in a thoughtful, nuanced and, at times, emotional…

Community, Culture, Featured, News June 17, 2025

NWT Art Centre Initiative closing in on final location decision

The overall goal of the new Indigenous-art focused centre is to provide a space that is 'solely dedicated to the non-commercial display of art,' says spokesperson


In an effort to expand the artistic scene of Yellowknife, several public discussion sessions are being held by the NWT Art Centre Initiative, the purpose of which is to find a suitable location within the city for the establishment of a new dedicated art centre. There will be two sessions…

Community, Education, Featured, History, News June 13, 2025

Community Hide Camp passes down traditional wisdom to Mildred Hall

The event taught traditional hide preparation alongside other artistic practices


To help further pass down traditional knowledge, the YK1 school district has just concluded a three-day event at the Mildred Hall School all about animal hides. Andrea Harding, one of the organizers for the event, explained that this was only the third year that this event has been put together….

Community, Events, Featured, News June 11, 2025

Frank Gruben Pride Festival returns to Fort Smith to ‘keep his name in mind,’ says organizer

'I’ve been working with Laura Kalinek (Gruben’s mother) to include more things that Frank would have liked to see,' says Ryker Lonehardt


Ever since his disappearance two years ago, Frank Gruben has become a household name across the NWT. Gruben was living in Fort Smith when he went missing, having been last seen on May 6th of 2023, and to help keep his name in the minds of northerners, the Fort Smith…

Community, Events, Featured, News June 8, 2025

Colourful costumes, vehicles, and plenty of flags mark 3rd annual Pride Parade

“I think that now more than ever, it’s really important that we support the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community."


For the third year in a row, Yellowknife beheld its annual Pride Parade, honouring the lives and struggles of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Community. While the weather wasn’t perfect, some chilly wind wasn’t enough to stop hundreds of local residents from gathering at Somba K’e park for the event. Most of the…

Culture, Education, Featured, News June 5, 2025

NWT Indigenous leader to be honoured with Canada Post stamp

This will be the fourth set of stamps made for Canada Post's multi-year Indigenous Leaders series


Alongside two other prominent Indigenous figures, a translator and teacher from the NWT will be honoured for her work with a special stamp from Canada Post. Born in the small NWT hamlet of Ulukhaktok, Julia Haogak Ogina is known for her work in creating labguage programs and promoting oral knowledge…

Education, Events, Featured, News June 4, 2025

Aurora College honours students with convocation ceremonies

Throughout the day, more than a hundred students were celebrated at the Chateau Nova Hotel


Students of Aurora College’s Yellowknife North Slave Campus were recently honoured for their hard work and commitment at the annual Convocation Ceremony. Held in two different events at the capital’s Chateau Nova Hotel, students were adorned in caps and gowns as the college’s leaders welcomed them not just to the…

Community, Featured, News June 2, 2025

Minister Kuptana issues statement of support for Pride Month

The Minister encourages all northern residents to take part in celebration and education opportunities


As we’ve reached the month of June, Minister Lucy Kuptana from the Legislative Assembly of the NWT shared an official statement to welcome Pride Month, and the various celebrations of the Territory’s 2SLGBTQIA+ residents. She opened her statement by affirming her support for LGBT individuals, and recognizing Pride Month as…