Articles by Mariah Caruso

Featured, News, Profile April 30, 2025

Cheko hopes to check off essential employability skills for Indigenous youth

CKLB profiles Arctic Inspiration Prize NWT finalists, leading up to the May 13 awards ceremony in Ottawa


The Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) has announced the 2025 finalists, which include 18 Northern teams whose ideas and community-driven solutions span food sovereignty, cultural revitalization, language preservation, youth empowerment, and climate leadership. Together, they are eligible for approximately $3.7 million in prize funding — an investment that is designed to…

Community, Featured, News September 27, 2024

Black Métis artist turns dark history into colorful future

Robert Burke, 80, creates new TRC stamp with Canada Post and Survivors Circle


“I’m a hardcore Northwest Territories artist,” says Robert Burke. “It means I’m a fighter, my art shows that I fight.” Artist and residential school survivor Burke, 80, paints his truth and life experience being “raised by institutions” in his latest piece submitted to Canada Post in the wake of the…

Community, Featured, News September 18, 2024

Oral histories brought to life in Inuvialuk Elder’s memoir: Kunuuksayuukka

Rose Nirliq Iriarr̂uk Tuuqłak Kirby took over 40 years, paired with one good hand to write this 300 page book


CKLB Radio · Oral histories brought to life in Inuvialuk Elder’s memoir: Kunuuksayuukka Inuvialuk Elder Rose Nirliq Iriarr̂uk Tuuqłak Kirby,79, gives readers a glimpse of the past, untouched by colonization, in her first book and family memoir. It is called Kunuuksayuukka: The Spirit of Winter Storms and was launched in…

Community, Featured, News September 17, 2024

‘I built a lot of skills and muscle the way that I was raised’: Inuit bodybuilder qualifies for nationals

Diane Marin took home a trophy at this year's Alberta Summer Naturals competition


“I love challenges and I love to push myself to my limits,” says Yellowknife athlete, Diane Marin. “Although your physique can look great, you can always aspire to do better or improve. And it’s always nice to have a goal.” Marin, 31, was the only athlete representing the Northwest Territories…

Featured, Housing, News September 16, 2024

Fewer residents, more garbage at 51st Street homeless encampment

GNWT hopes for 'cooperative resolution,' but explores legal options as deadlines to vacate ignored


The mounds of trash at Yellowknife’s homeless encampment only grew over the weekend, as some campers left, with about five remaining. A CKLB reporter spoke with some of those at the Aspen Apartments parking lot today. We were told all the extra garbage has mostly been abandoned by former tenants…

Featured, Housing, News September 13, 2024

Nine who remain at 51st Street homeless encampment fear RCMP arrival at any time

Territorial government’s deadline to vacate the Aspen Apartments parking lot this week pushed back to Friday


Tents lay abandoned, clothes hang on posts and embers remain hot as the last residents of Yellowknife’s homeless encampment 51st Street await their fate. Nine people remain at the site, as the other dozen or so there at the start of the week have found other accommodations as the nights…

No Picture

Community, Featured, News September 12, 2024

Investigation underway after Giant Mine water spill

Roughly 40,000 litres of waste water containing arsenic has spilled at the Giant Mine site in Yellowknife earlier this month. Although there are no immediate impacts to the surrounding area, Meghan Housley, senior communications officer for the Giant Mine Remediation Project says a final and more detailed report is expected…

Featured, Housing, News, Politics, Reconciliation September 9, 2024

Homeless encampment in Yellowknife to come down starting today

Authorities will work with residents there to secure housing options; area residents complained of filth and crime


“I’m at a breaking point. I’m out of options. But today we’re supposed to hear news from the GNWT or the City … about finding us a new location or public housing if possible.” – Encampment resident Colton Migwi The homeless encampment on 51st Street in Yellowknife is scheduled to…

Community, Featured, Justice, News June 12, 2024

‘I don’t want them to forget about Frank being missing,’ says mom Laura Kalinek

The Frank Gruben Pride Festival to honour the memory of missing Indigenous person


“Frank Gruben was a really outgoing person. He was caring. He would love to help people. If anybody needed help, he’d be there in a heartbeat and he really loved to speak his Gwich’in language,” says Laura Kalinek, mother of Frank Gruben. Gruben has been missing from Fort Smith for…