Articles by James O'Connor

Events, Featured, News, Politics July 24, 2024

Calls for Dene Nation to finally build its own headquarters

Chief Ernest Betsina tells 54th Dene National Assembly it’s time to develop income-producing assets


The Dene Nation should construct its own building, for use as a central gathering place and also to reduce the nearly $630,000 in rent each year for its existing offices. The 54th Dene National Assembly in Dettah’s 400-person Chief Drygeese Conference Centre was standing room only from the start today…

Art, Entertainment, Featured, Life Style, News July 22, 2024

Large crowds enjoy music, art and food at Folk on the Rocks

Looking forward to next year, the festival is developing a strategic plan which includes an Indigenous advisory circle


With most of the NWT suffering through drought conditions — and as fire pits stayed dark with bans everywhere in the southern regions on open flames — wildfire smoke really only blanketed Folk on the Rocks (FOTR) on Saturday night. Sure, there was a severe weather warning in the North…

Environment, Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 21, 2024

Firefighters battle second trail camp fire in Yellowknife

There are regional fire bans in place for the Dehcho, North Slave and South Slave


Municipal firefighters are investigating another human caused fire in Yellowknife. A wooden tent platform for unregistered camping near the NWT Legislative Assembly was burned in the blaze, reported Cabin Radio. Responding firefighters required streets to be closed and bus service through Niven neighbourhood was re-directed. Amy E. Kennedy is a…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 20, 2024

UPDATED: Open flames immediately banned across southern Northwest Territories

There is high to extreme wildfire danger driven by 'extraordinary weather and drought conditions,' says NWT Fire


Any thoughts about having a campfire this weekend across the entire southern half of the Northwest Territories have been extinguished with GNWT fire restrictions implemented immediately. Mike Westwick is the territory’s manager of Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation. “These bans are being implemented due to high to extreme wildfire danger and…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 19, 2024

Lightning sparks two wildfires near Whatì; Fort Res area still blanketed in smoke

Following a 'strong, successful initial attack' crews have a 'good handle' on fire closest fire the community, says NWT Fire


A wildfire 20 kilometres north of Whatì has forced the diversion of NWT Fire crews from a blaze about 50 kilometres from that lakeside Tlicho community. Weather conditions had influenced Wednesday’s lightning-caused fire ZF026 to grow significantly to the north along the west shores of Lac La Martre. Thomas Bentham…

Featured, Justice, News, Police July 19, 2024

Appeal court rules northern RCMP justified in abusing Inuvik drug dealer’s rights

‘This is not to say police have license to disregard Charter rights in some communities,’ says NWT Court of Appeal.


The illegal drug scourge “in the community of Inuvik, and in the Northwest Territories in general” is so bad, police might be excused if they are a bit loose with a suspected cocaine dealer’s Charter rights. The NWT Supreme Court’s bench has for years expressed frustration and disgust for outsiders…

Featured, Justice, News, Politics July 18, 2024

Decrease in pre-trial custody corresponds with increase of repeat offenders

'Perhaps we've been a bit too lenient at the expense of public safety,' says Premier RJ Simpson


Canada’s premiers have called on the federal government to review its recent changes to bail legislation, as it might not be closing  the revolving door for charged individuals. That was one of the asks from the Council of the Federation at the end of its two-day meeting in Halifax on…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 18, 2024

Several new wildfires in southern regions, but none pose risk to cabins or infrastructure

Today's overall look at the wildfire situation shows 118 fires so far this season, consuming 103,841 hectares


A dozen new wildfires have been sparked — including six in the South Slave region, and two in the North Slave — but all are fairly remote and pose no risk to cabins or infrastructure, stated NWT Fire. There is no update yet today on the more troublesome wildfires south…