Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Police January 28, 2025

Man steals vehicle after armed home invasion in Fort Smith

Christopher Wanderingspirit could still be armed with long gun; RCMP caution not to approach, but to call police if he's spotted


An armed man broke into a Fort Smith residence on Sunday and stole a vehicle at gunpoint, say RCMP. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Christopher Wanderingspirit, described as an Indigenous male, with short dark hair, approximately 5-foot-8, and weighing approximately 170 pounds. Cpl. Mat Halstead stated…

Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation January 26, 2025

First day at work for Indigenous Employment Policy is April 1

GNWT holds online information session Tuesday for employees' questions, as Affirmative Action Policy set to be replaced


A virtual town hall will be held on Tuesday, January 28th, to provide GNWT employees with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the proposed Indigenous Employment Policy, slated to be implemented on April 1. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is taking input and comments on the…

Education, Featured, News January 24, 2025

Aurora College fails all 19 Community Learning Centres across the NWT

Indigenous communities will lose access to in-person education and jobs associated with the centres


Aurora College is closing all of its 19 Community Learning Centres located mostly in smaller communities across the NWT as of June 30. The College’s Board of Governors cited low enrolment and completion rates, for the “prohibitively expensive, outdated, and ineffective,” Community Learning Centre program, which started 25 years ago….

Environment, Featured, News, Weather January 6, 2025

Power generation struggles with frigid weather across NWT

Fort Smith's power cut for up to seven hours on Friday; NWT Power Corp pleads for conservation over weekend


“Getting a little cold in here,” was one comment made over the weekend by a resident in response to a lengthy power outage in Fort Smith, attributed to the extremely cold weather which gripped the territory. Starting Friday afternoon at 1 p.m., the blackout lasted for some NWT Power Corporation…

Featured, Housing, News, Politics December 19, 2024

‘Throw funding to programs like this. Believe in healing. Believe that people can change’

On-The-Land Program outside of Yellowknife set to close mid-January after 10-weeks, with no similar options available


The ten-week On-The-Land Program for Yellowknife homeless is a welcome relief from the stresses and triggers of living on the streets, say participants. The alternative to overcrowded and dangerous downtown shelters is so appreciated, that those CKLB spoke with during a recent visit said they hoped the territorial government would…

Featured, Industry, Mining, News, Politics December 18, 2024

Drilling down on expenditures show serious decrease in NWT mineral exploration

This as Nunavut enjoys a slight increase; GNWT still polishing regulations for Mineral Resources Act passed in 2019


Mining exploration expenditures in the NWT have experienced a sharp decrease this year, federal estimates show. This comes at a time when the cash-strapped GNWT is searching for ways to compensate for lost revenue for the looming closure of the big diamond mines in coming years. Exploration expenditures remained steady…

Featured, News December 16, 2024

Gail Cyr: ‘Forged by pain and isolation; met with fury and laughter’

Jesse Wheeler eulogizes his trailblazing Indigenous mom at Sunday's emotional celebration of life


Gail Cyr’s celebration of life was outspoken, fearless and passionate — an accurate representation of the Order of Canada recipient’s colourful life of nearly 72 years, which ended After all, what memorial service have you ever been to that featured a foot-long hand-made paper mâché phallus firmly attached to the…

Featured, Housing, News, Politics December 16, 2024

Homelessness: ‘It’s crucial we unite to create meaningful change,’ says MP Michael McLeod

GNWT will match federal funding of $1 million over two years for projects such as the temporary On-the-Land Camp


The latest brick in the wall from government to address homelessness is a $2 million partnership between Ottawa and the territorial government. This partnership will help alleviate capacity challenges identified by local shelter operators, while addressing encampments and helping find homes for people sleeping in tents through a “human rights-based…

Featured, History, News, Reconciliation December 15, 2024

YWCA Canada apologizes for supporting colonial residential school system

YWCA NWT will now work with Indigenous leaders to clarify what historical involvement it had in the North, says executive director


The largest provider of services to women, girls and families in the country has issued a formal apology to Indigenous communities, families and individuals for its historical involvement in the operation of Residential Schools and ‘Indian Hospitals.’ YWCA Canada’s research, primarily based on records from the 1960s, found numerous YWCAs…

Featured, Health, News, Politics December 15, 2024

NWT Health Leadership Council discharged, angering Dene leadership

'It is time for Dene to determine our own ways of caring for our people,' says National Chief George Mackenzie


The Dene Nation has grave concerns over the dissolution dismissal of the NWT’s Health and Social Services (NTHSSA) Leadership Council, in favour of a single public administrator, as it could hurt overall effectiveness of health service delivery. “We are in a crisis state regarding medical travel, child/family services and the…