Articles by Connor Pitre

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…

Culture, Featured, News June 2, 2025

NorthWords event shines light on importance of Indigenous writers

This event was but one of many held at the Explorer Hotel over the weekend


Over the weekend, the Northwords group held their annual Writer’s Festival event to help share knowledge and opportunities with aspiring writers in the NWT, and among the plethora of discussions and readings, one event focused on the memoirs of Indigenous writers, and the unique strengths of the medium. Entitled, Stories…

Featured, News, Wildfires May 30, 2025

Four new fires started in Dehcho region

NWT Fire advises everyone to check their local community's websites for updates, and to report any fires that they see


Four new fires recently sparked across the Dehcho region, all of which are receiving measured responses. These fires began while much of the NWT is experiencing weather conditions that create greater opportunities for fires to start. This includes, warm temperatures, low humidity, and high wind speeds. These weather conditions are…