Ian Down, Author at CKLB Radio

Featured, Health, News December 15, 2023

Bacteria responsible for Lyme disease found in N.W.T.

No human cases of the disease have yet been reported.

For the first time ever, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease has been identified in the Northwest Territories. That’s according to the territory’s Department of Health and Social Services on Thursday. As of yet, there are no confirmed human cases of the disease. But earlier this month, a Fort Simpson-area…

Art, Featured, News December 14, 2023

New N.W.T. children’s book explores the question ‘Where did I come from?’

'You Come from the Stars' by Tanya Snow is inspired by a real mother-to-son conversation.

When Tanya Snow’s son Kaize was young, he asked her a profound question: “Where did I come from?” “On the spot, I didn’t know how to respond,” she says. “But I also know at that young age, kids are quite impressionable. So what you share with them, they’re going to…

Community, Featured, Health, News December 13, 2023

Men in the N.W.T. are falling behind. Men’s groups are answering the call

Across the territory, men are behind in education, life expectancy, and employment.

Until recently, Brandon Buggins didn’t really know the other men in his community, even the ones he would casually greet out in public. Buggins was a closed book too, even when struggling with mental illness, addiction, and the pressures of fatherhood: “It’s really tough to be able to come out…

Environment, Featured, News, Profile December 12, 2023

This KFN resident lost his home to fire — twice

Glenn Buggins is still waiting for a permanent home on the reserve.

Glenn Buggins is no stranger to fire. He spent years as a firefighter, battling blazes as far away as Ontario. And fire has twice made him homeless. In 2019, Buggins, a lifelong resident of K’atl’odeeche First Nation, found himself living in a log cabin in the community. But after living…

Featured, News, Politics, Profile December 11, 2023

Ten minutes with R.J. Simpson

The new Premier of the Northwest Territories talks UNDRIP, relations with Indigenous communities, and his record as Minister of ECE.

R.J. Simpson, the MLA for Hay River North and former cabinet minister, was elected Premier of the Northwest Territories last week. We sat down with the new premier to discuss UNDRIP, relationships with Indigenous communities, his record as Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment, and other issues. Here’s that conversation,…

Featured, News, Politics December 8, 2023

R.J. Simpson elected Premier of the Northwest Territories

Shane Thompson was elected Speaker of the House, while six MLAs were elected to cabinet.

R.J. Simpson is the new Premier of the Northwest Territories. The MLA for Hay River North and former cabinet minister was elected to the top office by colleagues on Thursday. At the start of the day, there were four nominees for Premier: Simpson, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, Yellowknife South…

Featured, News, Politics December 1, 2023

Here’s what each premier candidate said about small and Indigenous communities

Four MLAs — Simpson, Testart, Thompson and Wawzonek — made their pitches on Thursday.

The nominations for Premier of the Northwest Territories are in, and each of the candidates has made their appeal to the N.W.T.’s small and Indigenous communities. R.J. Simpson, Kieron Testart, Shane Thompson and Caroline Wawzonek all put their names in the hat for premier on Thursday. Each gave a 20-minute…

Featured, Justice, News, Police November 27, 2023

Yellowknife RCMP investigating homicide at Hilltop apartments

The victim was found dead around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Yellowknife RCMP are investigating a homicide after finding a man dead inside the Hilltop apartment complex on 47 Street. Police were called to the scene shortly before 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, where they found the man laying unresponsive. The incident was first ruled a “suspicious death,” but has since…

Events, Featured, Health, News November 21, 2023

In photos: Yellowknifers march for addictions, mental health awareness

Dozens of students from local schools participated in the march.

For Sir John Franklin High School Student Reanna Brownlee, addictions and mental health are issues that hit close to home. “I’m doing it for the kids around me, all the kids I work with,” she says. “There’s so many kids with parents that struggle from addiction and suffer — my…

Featured, News, Politics November 15, 2023

Election 2023: Residents vote for change as seven incumbents ousted

Only four incumbents defeated their challengers as more than 10,000 cast their votes.

The Legislative Assembly is going to look very different next week. During election night on Tuesday, seven incumbent MLAs, including two cabinet ministers and the speaker of the house, were defeated: Ronald Bonnetrouge of Dehcho; Katrina Nokleby of Great Slave; Rocky Simpson of Hay River South; Diane Archie of Inuvik…

Articles by Ian Down