Articles by Ian Down

Community, Environment, Featured, News, Weather May 25, 2023

Hay River prepares to re-open, while the fires rage on

Residents of Hay River may be able to return this week, while KFN residents await a re-entry plan


Hay River residents are expected to return home as early as May 26, although the possibility of evacuation remains. That is according to the town of Hay River in a post on its official Facebook page. While Hay River Residents prepare to return home, over 300 members from Kátł’odeeche First Nation…

Community, Environment, Featured, News, Weather May 19, 2023

Fort McPherson, Aklavik remain calm and positive amid rising waters

"At least in my lifetime, I've never encountered this type of a situation before in Fort McPherson," says the Gwich'in Grand Chief


Connor Charlie says he’s never experienced anything like this before. Over the past week, he’s watched the Peel River slowly rise around his community of Fort McPherson, claiming many cabins in the low-lying area around the community. But even after learning that his family’s cabin had been washed away, Charlie,…

Community, Environment, Featured, News May 18, 2023

Breaking: KFN administration building destroyed by wildfire

Former chief Roy Fabian confirmed the building was among the 15 damaged by wildfire


The administration building of the K’atl’odeeche First Nation (KFN) has been destroyed by fire, according to a former chief. Roy Fabian posted a message on social media confirming the damage on Thursday. “The sadness I feel, hearing about the KFN administration building burning down, brings tears to my eyes,” he…

Community, Featured, News May 17, 2023

“Not a whole lot of relief in sight”: Wildfire threatening Hay River, KFN rages on

Wind and weather continue to provoke the fire ravaging the South Slave


“This is starting to feel like we’re cursed or something,” says Joanne Barnaby after witnessing the fires consume her community. Barnaby is a resident of Hay River and lives right across the pond from the Kátł’odeeche First Nation (KFN). She watched the fire consume the reserve. On the night of…

Community, Featured, News May 17, 2023

Breaking: Salt River First Nation CEO to resign effective next week

"I have enjoyed my work as CEO immensely and want nothing but the best for future of the Nation," says Elizabeth Westwell


The Chief Executive Officer of the Salt River First Nation (SRFN) will resign from her position before the end of the month. Elizabeth Westwell confirmed via email on Wednesday she is resigning from her position effective Friday, May 26. “I have enjoyed my work as CEO immensely and want nothing…

Community, Environment, Featured, News, Weather May 15, 2023

Hay River, KFN residents take shelter in Yellowknife as fire rages on

The blaze had claimed 15 buildings in KFN as of Monday morning


Anne Kasper remembers pitch-black smoke consuming the sky and an “unbearable” smell in the air like burning moss. “We don’t know what happened,” said Kasper, a 54-year-old resident of the K’atl’odeeche First Nation (KFN). “It was a tiny little fire, and then it just got crazy out of control.” Kasper…

Community, Featured, News, Politics May 12, 2023

Service cuts, price increases on the table as MACA set to administrate Fort Resolution

"I feel like we're being treated like children being disciplined," says one former resident


Changes to municipal services may be coming for residents of Fort Resolution as the GNWT prepares to place the hamlet under administration. Earlier this week, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) announced it intends to place the hamlet under administration, citing “financial and operational difficulties.” In doing, so,…

Community, Featured, News, Police May 11, 2023

Update: Community search for Frank Gruben enters its second day

Gruben hasn't been seen since May 5. Community members have been searching for him since Thursday morning


Last updated Friday, May 12 at 12:05 a.m. The search continues for Frank Gruben in Fort Smith, and a community-led search party is out for the second time this morning. About 35 residents turned up yesterday for a search party, organized by resident Larissa Emmons. As Emmons described yesterday morning,…

Community, Featured, News May 8, 2023

Fort Resolution to be placed under administration due to financial difficulties

Minister of MACA Shane Thompson to 'release council from their duties and appoint a Municipal Administrator.'


The community of Fort Resolution will soon be placed under administration due to “financial and operational difficulties,” according to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA). The department made the announcement early on Monday afternoon via a press release. Under the territory’s Hamlets Act, in placing the community under administration,…