Articles by Ian Down

Featured, Justice, Law courts, News, Police, Politics January 10, 2023

Former Yellowknife city councillor charged with assault, sexual assault

Robin Williams faces nine charges, including assault causing bodily harm or with a weapon


A former Yellowknife city councillor has been charged with multiple crimes, including assault and sexual assault, according to court documents. Robin Williams faces nine charges, including four counts of assault, one count of assault causing bodily harm or with a weapon, one count of sexual assault, one count of uttering…

Community, Featured, Justice, News, Police December 2, 2022

Update: Fort Providence RMCP locate, arrest suspect in alleged assault

Logan Causa was found at a "rural property" near Fort Providence on Saturday


A suspect in an alleged Fort Providence assault is in custody after escaping arrest on Friday. Logan Causa, 22, was found at a “rural property” near Fort Providence on Saturday and arrested “without incident.” Early on Friday morning, Fort Providence RCMP responded to an alleged assault causing “serious injuries,” according…

Industry, News, Politics, Transportation November 30, 2022

Housing NWT Minister advocated on behalf of campaign donor contractor

The president of HRN Contracting and his wife contributed a combined $3,000 to Paulie Chinna's campaign in 2019


Minister responsible for Housing NWT Paulie Chinna repeatedly advocated for a public contract to be awarded to a private company whose president, along with his wife, financially supported her 2019 election campaign, according to public documents, a letter, and the former minister of Infrastructure. According to the Elections NWT website,…

Environment, Featured, News November 30, 2022

COP27: Canadian Queer Changemakers panel perseveres despite fears of persecution

"I hope this is the beginning of a tradition where we try to change the narrative," says one participant


When Will Gagnon was preparing to speak at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference, he knew he was risking arrest and persecution. He was prepared to take extra steps for his own safety, including asking a friend to pose as his wife and, he says humourously, “Maybe I’m gonna…

Art, Community, Entertainment, Featured, News November 24, 2022

‘We need to do this as a community’: Abe Drennan celebrates pandemic resilience with ‘Unknown Road’

The Inuvik singer-songwriter celebrates the strength of his community in his new single


Inuvik singer-songwriter Abe Drennan remembers the fear that gripped him in the first weeks of the pandemic. “I went out to buy groceries at Stanton for the first time since we shut down,” he remembers. “And I remember feeling a real fear that I have never felt before — I’ve…

Community, Featured, Health, News November 8, 2022

“We’re not used to being isolated”: Beaufort Delta chiefs hope new anti-suicide funding will curb post-Covid isolation

The Beaufort Delta was the hardest-hit region in this year's suicide spike


Ken Kyikavichik says the past few years have been challenging for his people. “The amount of grief that’s gone on, especially over the last two years, has been exceptional,” the Gwich’in Grand Chief says. This year’s spike in suicides hit the communities of the Beaufort Delta the hardest: There were…