Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News December 4, 2024

Indigenous rights champion and Order of Canada member Gail Cyr remembered

Founder of the NWT Native Court Workers Association, former Yellowknife city councillor and member of the NWT Human Rights Commission passed away this week at the age of 71.


Gail Cyr was known for her unwavering bravery fighting for Indigenous people in the North, and her life’s work was recognized nationally in 2022, when she was invested into the Order of Canada. Cyr passed away on Tuesday, her son Jesse Wheeler posted to social media. She was 71. “Thank…

Featured, Justice, Law courts, News November 27, 2024

Overworked jail staff delayed obtaining Alberta records on high-risk offender before he attacked

Judge clears GNWT after Jason Bard randomly attacked a fellow inmate, causing serious injuries that required stitches, treatment for a concussion


A lawsuit by the victim of a random, vicious jailhouse attack by a “dangerous violent offender with anti-social personality disorder” has provided a rare glimpse into the internal operations at North Slave Correctional Complex (NSCC). Jason Bard was 28 years old and incarcerated at NSCC in 2018, when he randomly…

Featured, Justice, Law courts, News, Police November 27, 2024

Yellowknife jail guard attacker shot dead by Winnipeg police on weekend

His family impacted by residential school system, Jordan Charlie’s troubled upbringing resulted in a string of brutally violent crimes


A Nunavut-born man shot dead Sunday by Winnipeg Police after police say he stabbed a cop in the neck was the same person who viciously assaulted a corrections officer inside Yellowknife’s North Slave Correctional Complex in 2019. Twenty-four-year-old Jordan Charlie’s violent life came to a quick end Sunday at a…

Featured, News, Police, Reconciliation, Weather November 26, 2024

Community-minded RCMP officer collects coats for 120 needy kids in Aklavik

Const. Jason Emmons and wife, Larissa, found many youth in the Arctic community did not have adequate winter clothing


A caring RCMP officer and his wife took it upon themselves to find a way to provide proper winter clothing for more than 100 children in Aklavik. Constable Jason Emmons and his wife, Larissa, in 2023 found that many youths in the Arctic community did not have adequate winter clothing,…

Featured, News, Police November 26, 2024

Reported drive-by shooting of vehicle ends with RCMP gunpoint takedown of suspects

About $20,000 cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, crack cocaine, ski-masks and several edged weapons seized by police


Three people were arrested at gunpoint by RCMP officers after reports of a drive-by shooting near Walmart on Sunday. A motorist was allegedly followed by another vehicle that pulled up alongside, and a masked individual pointed a gun at the victim’s vehicle after which a thud was heard, leading the…

Featured, Law courts, News, Politics November 24, 2024

Gwich’in Tribal Council’s contested Grand Chief election results remain in hands of Supreme Court judge

GTC board’s call for a new election after complaints made by incumbent candidate a ‘draconian’ move, says opponent’s lawyer


Legal arguments out of a controversial election Beaufort Delta have explored how much power should an Indigenous board of directors have and who gets to decide what truth is in political debate. Toby Kruger is the lawyer for Frederick Blake Jr., who received the most votes in September’s Gwich’in Tribal…

Culture, Featured, News November 22, 2024

‘Our Tłı̨chǫ ancestors have been making these products long before our time’

Authentic Northern products Tea of Our Ancestors and Fireweed Blossom Syrup to debut at Saturday holiday sale


Two new Northern food products produced from Indigenous land by Indigenous people will join the more than 30 tables of hand-crafted artistic creations at a major art sale Saturday in Yellowknife. The third Tłı̨chǫ Arts Holiday Sale and Showcase takes place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the…

Featured, News, Police November 22, 2024

RCMP officers start using body-worn cameras in Northwest Territories today

Yellowknife first to roll-out new program, with the rest of the territory to see the new gear in the first half of next year


RCMP officers in Northwest Territories started using body-worn cameras today in Yellowknife, with the complete training and roll-out expected to be completed in eight months. Officers will be trained in groups. Because of this, the public can expect to see some officers with cameras and some without until all have…

Culture, Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation November 19, 2024

Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę, GNWT and Ottawa initial draft of final self-government agreement

Significant milestone for Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells is a 'crucial step in moving beyond colonial systems of governance, says fed minister


Negotiators in Ottawa for the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Government Inc., the GNWT, and Canada have initialled the draft final self-government agreement for the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę in Ottawa. Proponents stated this significant milestone demonstrates progress for the the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells, moving toward self-government and charting their own…

Culture, Environment, Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation, Weather November 15, 2024

A $375M generational plan for Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship and economic development across the NWT

'We will take care of the land, the water, the animals, the plant life, and also take care of our communities and our people,' says Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty


Drummers, woodsmoke and dancing helped usher in an historic $375 million agreement in Behchokǫ̀ that will fund Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and economic development across the Northwest Territories. Known as NWT: Our Land for the Future, one of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives in the world promises to create transformative…