Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Politics February 2, 2025

NWT premier looks for silver lining as United States launches trade war with Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to slap steep tariffs on Canadian goods 'aggressive and disappointing,' says Premier R.J. Simpson


The United States government’s “aggressive and disappointing” decision to impose tariffs on all Canadian goods will be met by counter-measures, including from the Northwest Territories, says Premier R.J. Simpson. While the Northwest Territories has limited direct exports to the United States, we are not immune to the repercussions of these…

Featured, News, Politics January 30, 2025

Gwich’in Tribal Council rejects court ruling upholding Frederick Blake Jr. as new grand chief

UPDATED: Gwichya Gwich'in Council swore in Frederick Blake Jr. in Tsiigehtchic on Friday as Gwich'in Grand Chief in Tsiigehtchic


The Gwich’in Tribal Council will appeal an NWT Supreme Court decision which declared Frederick Blake Jr. legally elected as grand chief and ordered the GTC’s board not to hold a new election. At an emergency board meeting Wednesday in Inuvik, the tribal council’s board also rescheduled this Friday’s Special Assembly…

Culture, Featured, News January 30, 2025

‘I want her to be remembered as the kind, loving woman that she was’

Gwich'in language translator, educator and member of the CKLB family, Evelyne Parry, passed away on Sunday


Tributes are pouring in for Evelyne Parry, for her larger-than-life personality and for her profound impact on maintaining the Gwich’in language and culture in the Beaufort Delta and beyond through her work with CKLB 101.9 FM. Evelyne passed away in the company of loved ones on Sunday in Edmonton at…

Education, Featured, News January 28, 2025

Community Learning Centre closings will hurt Dene communities

'Keeping our Community Learning Centres is important for keeping our Dene languages and traditions alive while helping people develop their skills while contributing to local resources,' says Dene National Chief George Mackenzie


Aurora College’s pending closure of all its community learning centres across the Northwest Territories by April 1, has raised significant concerns among Dene Leaders, educators, students, and community agencies. The decision, which affects 19 community learning centres, is poised to have “profound implications for education accessibility, particularly for Dene populations…

Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation January 26, 2025

First day at work for Indigenous Employment Policy is April 1

GNWT holds online information session Tuesday for employees' questions, as Affirmative Action Policy set to be replaced


A virtual town hall will be held on Tuesday, January 28th, to provide GNWT employees with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the proposed Indigenous Employment Policy, slated to be implemented on April 1. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is taking input and comments on the…

Education, Featured, News January 24, 2025

Aurora College fails all 19 Community Learning Centres across the NWT

Indigenous communities will lose access to in-person education and jobs associated with the centres


Aurora College is closing all of its 19 Community Learning Centres located mostly in smaller communities across the NWT as of June 30. The College’s Board of Governors cited low enrolment and completion rates, for the “prohibitively expensive, outdated, and ineffective,” Community Learning Centre program, which started 25 years ago….

Environment, Featured, News, Weather January 6, 2025

Power generation struggles with frigid weather across NWT

Fort Smith's power cut for up to seven hours on Friday; NWT Power Corp pleads for conservation over weekend


“Getting a little cold in here,” was one comment made over the weekend by a resident in response to a lengthy power outage in Fort Smith, attributed to the extremely cold weather which gripped the territory. Starting Friday afternoon at 1 p.m., the blackout lasted for some NWT Power Corporation…

Featured, Housing, News, Politics December 19, 2024

‘Throw funding to programs like this. Believe in healing. Believe that people can change’

On-The-Land Program outside of Yellowknife set to close mid-January after 10-weeks, with no similar options available


The ten-week On-The-Land Program for Yellowknife homeless is a welcome relief from the stresses and triggers of living on the streets, say participants. The alternative to overcrowded and dangerous downtown shelters is so appreciated, that those CKLB spoke with during a recent visit said they hoped the territorial government would…

Featured, Industry, Mining, News, Politics December 18, 2024

Drilling down on expenditures show serious decrease in NWT mineral exploration

This as Nunavut enjoys a slight increase; GNWT still polishing regulations for Mineral Resources Act passed in 2019


Mining exploration expenditures in the NWT have experienced a sharp decrease this year, federal estimates show. This comes at a time when the cash-strapped GNWT is searching for ways to compensate for lost revenue for the looming closure of the big diamond mines in coming years. Exploration expenditures remained steady…