Articles by James O'Connor

Education, Featured, News June 20, 2025

Dehcho region education system faces ‘formal review’ by independent investigator

'This review will examine whether governance and operational responsibilities are being fulfilled by all parties,' says Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland


“Over the past several months, the Government of the Northwest Territories has heard serious concerns from parents, educators, community members, and education partners in the Dehcho.” – Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland The troubled education system in the Dehcho region will soon come under close examination by an independent investigator —…

Featured, News, Wildfires June 17, 2025

Tulip Lake wildfire wilts; South Slave blaze is now ‘being held,’ says NWT Fire

A couple of new fires sparked in the southern part of NWT, but none currently pose a threat to communities, cabins, or infrastructure


NWT Fire reports the massive Tulip Lake wildfire is now being held. The 14,083-hectare blaze is 15 kilometres northeast of Fort Fitzgerald, AB, and 28 kilometres east of Fort Smith in the South Slave on the Alberta border. The ‘being held’ classification “reflects the confidence of firefighters that the fire…

Culture, Featured, News June 16, 2025

Métis artist/designer jumps into Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe with unique rabbit skin dress

'Being on the land with the Inuit people made me realize that fur is the warmest thing to wear, and it also happens to be versatile, beautiful, and unique,' says Cheryl Fennell


“When I was little, my Dene mother told me to make a dress for my doll. She gave me scissors and some material and she just told me to do it, without instructions. Because I had to figure it out, that way of thinking has stuck with me ever since.”…

Featured, Law courts, News June 14, 2025

Harley Pierrot’s killer in Fort Good Hope gets seven years for manslaughter

Flloyd Kakfwi had earlier pleaded guilty for the stabbing, which took place during a drinking party in 2024


Floyd Kakfwi has been sentenced to seven years’ behind bars for stabbing Harley Pierrot in an alcohol-fuelled conflict in Fort Good Hope in 2024. Kakfwi, who is now 54, had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced in that Sahtu community earlier this week. Kakfwi will serve seven years,…

Environment, Featured, Law courts, News June 12, 2025

A Mi’kmaq man named Pond must tear down his family’s cabin by an NWT lake, a court has ruled

Matt Pond built told court that removing the late-’90s era cabin would cause him ‘significant and irreparable prejudice’ as he tries to join the YKDFN


A Yellowknife-born Mi’kmaq man must remove his family’s quarter-century-old cabin on public land north of Narcisse Lake, as he is not a member of an NWT Indigenous group, a court has ruled. In the late 1990’s, Matt Pond built a cabin located north of Narcisse Lake on lands now administered…

Education, Featured, Health, News, Politics June 11, 2025

‘In many Northern communities, Jordan’s Principle isn’t supplemental — it’s essential,’ say two NWT cabinet ministers

The new Liberal Government is showing signs of reversing the changes introduced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, suggests a joint statement by Ministers Caitlin Cleveland and Lesa Semmler


“Jordan’s Principle was working in the North. It helped children catch up and, at times, thrive — especially in smaller communities where supports are scarce. Rolling it back now would hurt the very people it was meant to help” – Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon-Armstrong The territorial government continues to press…

Culture, Featured, News June 11, 2025

Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve in Sahtu receives $16.5M for cultural centre

'This is good for the people. Parks Canada has listened to the Elders and the community about what is important,' says Tulita Mayor Douglas Yallee


Indigenous and community members from Tulita and Norman Wells recently gathered to herald the cultural and regional significance of the $16.5 million office and cultural centre being built for the Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve. “This is good for the people. Parks Canada has listened to the Elders and the community…

Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation June 9, 2025

‘We have the vision. We’ve done the planning. We’re ready to deliver,’ says Premier R.J. Simpson

Delegations of top elected officials from the GNWT and Indigenous government in Ottawa last week to lobby for projects requiring federal partnerships


“The North isn’t a problem to solve. It’s a partner in building Canada’s future. Let’s build it together.” – Premier R.J. Simpson Leaders from several Indigenous governments were in Ottawa last week — joining NWT Premier R.J. Simpson and members of his cabinet — to promote the North and present…

Featured, News, Sports June 9, 2025

NWT Track and Field Championships attract athletes from 12 communities

Large teams from Yellowknife compete with smaller schools, such as Kakisa Lake and K'àlemì Dene, over three days


The 2025 NWT Track and Field Championships in Hay River will now pass the baton to next year’s gathering. At a high-energy closing ceremony on Friday afternoon, dozens of medallists were called up to the podium in the common area at Diamond Jenness Secondary School to the cheers of families,…

Featured, News, Sports June 5, 2025

Running, jumping and throwing at Hay River track meet

‘It gives them something to compete against, not with just the classmates and but with all of the NWT,’ says a Chief Sunrise support assistant


The cheers can be heard blocks away in central Hay River at the 2025 NWT Track and Field Championships continue, with more than 1,000 students entered from across the territory. That up about 100 registrations over last year. Add some warm weather and enough wind to keep the bugs and…