Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Politics February 27, 2025

Bullying on rise beyond our borders thanks to ‘odious’ American president, says MLA

As NWT Assembly marks Pink Shirt Day, calls made to speak up for equality and acceptance of everyone


Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland issued a statement on Pink Shirt Day about how important it is for everyone to feel safe and accepted for who they are. “By wearing pink, we promote safe environments, free from bullying and harassment, for everyone. It is a call to take…

Featured, News February 26, 2025

Tourist Accommodation Tax makes reservation in Yellowknife for April 1st

The controversial four-per-cent tax will be used to enhance and grow the tourism sector in the city


The Tourist Accommodation Tax, passed by the Yellowknife City Council in 2024, comes into effect on April 1st. The funds collected will be used to enhance and grow the tourism sector in Yellowknife. After much deliberation over many years, the four-per-cent tax will now be applied to the purchase price…

Featured, History, News, Politics, Reconciliation February 26, 2025

Ancestral remains at Fort Resolution residential school site can’t be moved

Process to update Archeological Sites Act is underway; but family of girl whose remains are in gravesite want to hold proper burial


The elderly sister of a young girl who died while at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school at Fort Resolution is desperate to honour a promise she made to their mother. That was to have the young girl’s remains exhumed, to be re-interred beside her mother gravesite at Fort Smith. However,…

Featured, News, Politics February 24, 2025

Ottawa provides $7M for Indigenous-led protected and conserved areas

Canada–NWT Nature Agreement promises to advance nature-related priorities in collaboration with Indigenous governments


Ottawa and the GNWT today announced the Canada–Northwest Territories Nature Agreement, designed to advance nature-related priorities, in collaboration with Indigenous governments, across the territory. The two levels of government have agreed to an initial investment of $7 million in the fiscal year 2025–2026. The agreement will be supported by up…

Featured, News, Politics February 19, 2025

Traditional activities, lower taxes could provide cover in Trump’s threatened trade war, say NWT leaders

‘This is … an unhinged U.S. president who is forgetting who his friends are and turning them into enemies,’ says MLA Kieron Testart


U.S. President Donald Trump has a callous heart and he should be ashamed of himself for threatening what would be an illegal trade war with Canada. That’s what some NWT political leaders had to say on Denendeh Sunrise on Wednesday about Trump’s tariff threats, which are in limbo until the…

Featured, News, Police February 17, 2025

Hay River RCMP on lookout for suspect charged with firearms offences

Weapons seized after a person had been assaulted, threatened with firearm at a residence on Woodland Drive


Hay River RCMP seized a long gun and are looking for a suspect after a person had been threatened with a firearm. In early February, police received information that a person had been assaulted at a residence on Woodland Drive, stated a release. An investigation was launched, during the course…

Featured, News, Police February 17, 2025

Settling of scores in Fort Smith drug trade likely behind weekend crimes

Shots fired into a residence from a vehicle, followed by a fully engulfed vehicle fire minutes later, say RCMP


Fort Smith RCMP are seeking information from the public after weekend crimes suspected to be linked to the drug trade. Shortly after 5 a.m. on February 15th, officers received a report that several shots had been fired from a vehicle into a residence on Field Street. The vehicle fled the…

Featured, News, Police February 14, 2025

Record-breaking $1.3M bust nets RCMP cocaine, cash and three suspects

The arrests have 'significantly disrupted a drug trafficking and organized crime network, in the NWT, says Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland


The largest drug bust in the Northwest Territories’ history netted RCMP $360,000 in cash; and 4.7 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value when broken down for sale of $950,000. Three people from outside the territory were arrested and weapons also seized in the February 4th raid on two…

Featured, News, Politics February 14, 2025

Three MLAs stand up to cabinet, say they aren’t being listened to

'We are going to save our consensus government system and keep the NWT strong and free,' says MLA Kieron Testart


“We’re here to set the record straight. We’re here to save the consensus government. The future of the NWT has never been under such a great threat.” – Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart A trio of MLAs that are fed up with the performance of Premier R.J. Simpson and his…