Articles by James O'Connor

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…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 17, 2024

Sweltering heat wave feeding two South Slave wildfires

Both blazes south of Fort Resolution and Little Buffalo River overnight ‘have grown considerably,’ says NWT Fire


Hot, dry and windy conditions continue to work against efforts to stomp out two naturally caused wildfires south of Fort Resolution. NWT Fire spokesperson Tom Bentham stated today that after, “an evening of increased fire activity, both fires have grown considerably.” “Today’s objective is to decrease fire intensity with aggressive…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 16, 2024

NWT Fire claims ‘significant reduction in fire activity’ at Fort Resolution after hard-fought night

However, there remains a risk to cabins, camps and infrastructure in the evacuated Little Buffalo River area


Hot and dry conditions are making it challenging for firefighters and aircraft to bring two wild blazes in the South Slave near Little Buffalo River under control. Winds are currently pushing to the northwest at an estimated 10 to 15 km/h, slowly towards Fort Resolution. Fire SS040, now 13 hectares,…

Environment, Featured, Health, News, Weather July 16, 2024

Nahanni Butte’s water spoiled by the mineral manganese

Infants, children under five, pregnant women should not drink the tap water in a situation that could take months to fully rectify


Infants, children under five, and pregnant women in Nahanni Butte should not drink the community’s tap water due to high levels of manganese caused by a failure at the water treatment plant. Adults and older children are at a lower risk in that Dehcho community, but should still take precautions,…

Featured, News, Transportation July 15, 2024

UPDATED: More ferry fixes throw wrench into territorial highway system

Liard River ferry MV Lafferty is the third vessel this season to be pulled for unplanned repairs


With the MV Lafferty out of service at a key crossing in the Dehcho, the GNWT announced it will conduct what it called “essential dredging work” at the Liard River Ferry Landings between August 15 and September 18. At kilometre marker 457 on Highway 1 just southeast of Fort Simpson,…

Featured, News, Politics July 12, 2024

Kele Antoine re-elected chief of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation

'As we move forward, it is crucial for us to come together as a community,' says Antoine


Kele Antoine has been re-elected as chief of Łııdlı̨ı̨ Kųę First Nation. Antoine won by nine votes over Mavis Cli-Michaud, who had 110 votes in Thursday’s election at Fort Simpson. The re-elected chief on Facebook expressed appreciation: “It was a very close contest, and I want to extend my heartfelt…

Featured, Industry, Mining, News, Reconciliation July 8, 2024

NWT diamond mines: ‘Billions of dollars being made … we got nothing to show for it.’

Łutsel K'e Coun. John Catholique tells Kimberlite Conference any future mine deals must be fairer, or 'nothing's going to happen'


Diamonds are considered to be the universal symbol of love and wealth. But after nearly three decades of watching massive diamond mines blast deep into its traditional hunting grounds, the Łutselk’è Dene First Nation feels slighted, as it has little to show for agreeing to the drilling in the 1990’s….