Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation July 3, 2025

Alma Beaulieu’s remains to be exhumed this summer from Fort Resolution residential school graveyard

'Justice Minister (Jay Macdonald) committed to getting Alma home to her sister (Delphine), and the work will begin at the end of the month,' says MLA Richard Edjericon


The elderly sister of a young girl who died while at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school at Fort Resolution will now be able to honour a promise she made to their mother. That was to have Alma Beaulieu’s remains exhumed, to be re-interred beside her mother’s gravesite at Fort Smith….

Featured, News, Reconciliation July 2, 2025

Memories from Akaitcho Hall boarding home stir up a range of emotions

'I never forgot Akaitcho Hall as it was one of the best experiences of my life,' says former student Bob Overvold


(NOTE: Reading about residential schools might be triggering or distressing. If you need to talk to someone, please see the link at bottom of this post.) Akaitcho Hall is a former government boarding home, now located under a pile of rubble and dirt next to Sir John High School in what was…

Featured, News June 28, 2025

Darrel Mack Memorial Fund will support food security for young people, single parents in the NWT

'Darrel clearly made a deep impact on his community, and it’s evident how much love he left behind,' says YCF chair Sara Brown.


“He was a charismatic person with strong values who liked to lift up everyone around him, and to help those in need. He maintained his positive energy to the very end.” – from Darrel Mack’s obituary The Yellowknife Community Foundation (YCF) has announced the Darrel Mack Memorial Fund, which will…

Featured, News, Wildfires June 28, 2025

Four new lightning-caused wildfires in past 24 hours; more dry conditions forecasted

NWT Fire says crews are working four blazes in several regions, but no residents or property in danger at present


There have been four new wildfires in the past day — all lightning caused — and NWT fire warns that dry conditions with the possibility of lightning are expected to persist across the NWT. The latest count has 34 active fires, most of which are classified as out of control,…

Featured, News, Police June 24, 2025

A third Mountie is riding into Whatì; will work out of new detachment building

'You heard Chief Nitsiza in his speech, he mentioned that he wants more police — that's what we're hearing in every community out here,' says RCMP Chief Supt. Dyson Smith


It’s a good thing the RCMP have a larger new detachment building in Whatì, as the number of officers is set to increase by one-third. Chief Superintendent Dyson Smith, The NWT’s commanding officer, told the Dene community of 540 people on the shores of Lac la Martre that a third…

Featured, News, Wildfires June 24, 2025

Careless campers at Cameron Lake called ‘incredibly irresponsible’ by NWT Fire

'It is vital to hold yourself, your friends, and your family accountable for practising fire safety on the land,' says spokesperson


Fire crews have extinguished an abandoned campfire they found near the Cameron River area — for the second time this season. The fire was left unattended with camping equipment nearby, stated NWT Fire in a Monday evening release. “It is incredibly irresponsible to leave a campfire site without fully extinguishing…

Culture, Featured, News, Reconciliation June 22, 2025

Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated with traditional games, food by YKDFN

'it’s good to see everybody coming out to celebrate with us, knowing that this day is about Indigenous people in Canada,' says MLA Richard Edjericon


Spotty showers on Saturday failed to dampen the spirits at National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in the Yellowknife area. Timed to begin after the North Slave Métis Alliance’s annual fish fry at Somba K’e Civic Plaza downtown, Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) welcomed visitors to the Wıìlıìdeh Site just outside…

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.”…