Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Police, Politics April 2, 2025

Dene Nation to take ‘immediate and unified action’ as drug crimes continue at crisis levels

Following several recent shootings and homicides, the Dene Nation calls for policy and legislative changes to bolster community safety


The Dene Nation is taking “urgent action” to confront the rising tide of drug-related crimes that threaten communities in the Northwest Territories. This month, the Dene Nation will host a Leadership Discussion on Justice and the State of Emergency in Denendeh, stated a release on Wednesday. Dene leaders will gather…

Featured, News, Politics March 31, 2025

Cabinet shuffle sees Premier Simpson hand off some of his responsibilities

Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald adds Justice file; Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek adds newly created portfolio of Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains


“Now that we’re more than a year into this government’s mandate, it’s a good time to take stock and make adjustments to ensure we’re set up to deliver. Northerners expect a government that gets things done, and that’s what we’re focused on.” — Premier R.J. Simpson NWT Premier R.J. Simpson…

Featured, News, Police March 28, 2025

Pair on bail for drug charges outside of NWT busted in Fort Resolution after shots fired

Men from Ontario, Alberta face charges, along with an NWT woman, after cocaine and weapons seized on Tuesday in South Slave community


Two men on bail for alleged drug offences in Alberta and Ontario face more charges after Fort Resolution RCMP seized a quantity of cocaine and firearms while responding to a report of shots fired. On March 25th at approximately 5:36 p.m. police received a report that several shots had been…

Featured, News March 24, 2025

Officials raise alarm over ‘significant increase’ in illegal caribou harvesting in NWT this year

Reports of caribou wastage along the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road continue to rise, say GNWT and Indigenous leaders


The sight of illegal caribou wastage alongside a winter road has the GNWT and Indigenous leaders taking action to reinforce responsible harvesting practices and strengthen conservation efforts to protect the animals for future generations. So far this Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road season, at least 48 caribou have been wasted,…

Culture, Events, Featured, News March 17, 2025

Faces of the handgames: Hundreds of players and fans in Behchokǫ̀

Local team wins the 2025 Ediwa Weyallon Handgames Tournament held over the weekend in Tłıc̨hǫ community


The Behchokǫ̀ Cultural Centre was packed each of the three days for the 2025 Ediwa Weyallon Handgames Tournament. Some numbers from the massive event, which attracted players from across the NWT, the Yukon and Northern Alberta: $150,000 in total prize money, with $40,500 for first place. $2,250 entry fee per…

Featured, News, Police March 17, 2025

Dehcho leader calls for action against traffickers after fatal Fort Providence shooting

‘Enough is enough. We must protect our community and our future,’ says Chief Kele Antoine, after one person killed and two injured on weekend


Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation Chief Kele Antoine and several Fort Providence residents on social media have suggested the fatal shooting on the weekend was related to the illegal drug trade. On Monday afternoon, RCMP confirmed those suspicions, stating in a release they believe the shooting suspect has left the community…

Featured, News, Politics March 14, 2025

Private smoking in public housing to be butted out across the NWT

Policy to be implemented in a staged approach for Housing NWT-owned units, including market rentals


Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana on Thursday told the NWT Assembly smoking will not be permitted in all new buildings and in any new or amended leases for existing public housing and market rentals. She said: “Eliminating smoking in our owned units will have positive health outcomes for our residents and…

Featured, News, Police March 13, 2025

Luxury vehicle stop in Sahtu nets RCMP fentanyl, meth, cocaine and a revolver

‘These drugs and guns may have gone on to inflict significant harm were it not for community members willing to share this vital information,” says officer


Police in Norman Wells have charged two men after public tips led to a winter road traffic stop that yielded “over a pound” of various drugs and a firearm, stated an RCMP release. In total, approximately 247 grams of methamphetamine, 194 grams of cocaine, and 13 grams of fentanyl were…

Featured, News, Politics March 13, 2025

Elders can be financially, emotionally abused by family members seeking cash for illegal drugs

'I've heard about people pressuring elders for pension cheque money. It's like they are trapped, and their money belongs to others,' says MLA Sheryl Yakeleya


Seniors are too often mistreated by the very people responsible for their care, this can include financial abuse by younger family members pressuring them for cash to buy illegal drugs, says an MLA. Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya told the NWT Assembly on Wednesday that there is an urgent need to…