Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Police March 7, 2025

UPDATED: Overnight violence strikes Fort Smith; second similar incident in less than a month

Possible shots fired and house fire prompt warning early this morning from Fort Smith Protective Services


Fort Smith Protective Services issued a warning early this morning for residents to avoid the area of Field Street and Cassette Crescent after another violent incident in the border community involving gunplay and a fire. Fort Smith RCMP on Friday afternoon stated the incident was at 4:28 a.m. with the report…

Education, Featured, News, Politics March 7, 2025

Problems, solutions emerge in hearing on closure of 19 Community Learning Centres

'For the past 10 to 15, years, (the) Centres have become increasingly problematic, with low enrolment, high costs,' says Aurora College President Angela James


Aurora College President Angela James might not want to visit Fort Good Hope anytime soon after a remark she made about the closing of Community Learning Centres caught the ear of two MLAs at a hearing Thursday morning. James was justifying the abrubt closure of 19 Community Learning Centres across…

Featured, News, Politics March 5, 2025

Low vaccination rates put most vulnerable people at serious risk, says NWT Health Minister

‘Addressing vaccine hesitancy in Indigenous communities … requires building trust through culturally safe care and meaningful engagement,’ says Lesa Semmler


Vaccine hesitancy and online misinformation are weakening trust in the science, leaving residents — especially elders and children — vulnerable to preventable diseases, says Health Minister Lesa Semmler. Measles vaccination rates amongst two-year-olds have dropped from nearly 90-per-cent in 2019 to just over 82-per-cent in 2024 — well below the…

Featured, News, Politics March 4, 2025

American liquor purchases frozen, as GNWT does what it can in Trump Trade War

'It might be a difficult few years for us, but I know that we're going to stay united and we're going to resist,' says Premier R.J. Simpson


Take a hike Jack and Jim — that’s Daniels and Beam, respectively — as American-made alcohol products will no longer be purchased by the NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission. That’s one of the only direct moves the NWT can take at present to protest United States President Donald Trump’s 25-per-cent…

Featured, News, Politics March 3, 2025

Speaker to MLAs: ‘We were not elected to quarrel and bicker’

Shane Thompson admonishes NWT Assembly after two MLA complaints in one week over conduct of their peers


Open and respectful communication between all Members is the most essential feature of consensus government. While it is impossible to reach unanimous agreement on all issues, the opportunity for all Members to have meaningful input into important decisions is fundamental. – From Consensus Government in the NWT Guiding Principles The…

Featured, News, Politics February 28, 2025

Cell service dead zones, cash for communities and another upset MLA round out the week

The availability of consumer cell phones with emergency satellite connectivity could alleviate some drivers' concerns, says Minister Wawzonek


On Friday, Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya raised the longstanding issue of cell reception dead zones along major highways, especially the busy stretch between Fort Providence-Behchokǫ̀-Yellowkife. “People have safety concerns regarding the inability to call for help if something were to happen while travelling on our highways,” said Yakeleya. “Some people…

Featured, News, Politics, Weather February 28, 2025

Norman Wells is ‘a community living in fear,’ says Sahtu MLA

NWT Assembly passes motion declaring a humanitarian state of emergency for the regional centre


The Sahtu region’s hub of Norman Wells is in a dire situation, with residents living in fear and some already choosing to move away, says MLA Danny McNeely. The MLA presented a motion declaring a state of emergency for Norman Wells due to severe impacts from climate change, including rising…

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,…