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Art, Community, Featured, News October 22, 2020

Dene author says storytelling is catalyst for healing in debut novel

Land-Water-Sky/Ndè-Tı-Yat’a is an ode to everything the creator made, says Catherine Lafferty


In her debut novel, the Yellowknife author shares an intimate work of fiction on the idea that through storytelling, readers can heal past traumas. In Ndè-Tı-Yat’a, Lafferty confronts the themes of identity, stereotypes, language and abuse. Rooted in her own truth and lived experiences, Lafferty says, these are important conversations…

Community, Featured, Health, News October 21, 2020

MLA says more mental health supports needed in isolation centres

Steve Norn says some Elders have told him the centre feel "like residential school all over again".


Steve Norn, MLA for Tu Nehdé-Wiilideh, says the territorial government’s self-isolation centres have a “darker aspect that we never really considered”. Norn said some Elders told him the centres feel “like residential school all over again”. Norn brought up the point in asking for better mental health resources for people…

Community, Featured, Health, News October 20, 2020

Inuvik COVID case confirmed; Yellowknife still waiting

The territorial government has received confirmation that an individual in Inuvik has COVID-19. “This individual… is recovery safely at home,” reads a GNWT public notice. On Friday, the government announced three presumptive cases — one in Inuvik and two in Yellowknife. The person in Inuvik drove to the community from…

Community, Featured, Health, News October 16, 2020

New health minister says no plans for northern addictions treatment centre

The territorial government budgets $2.3 million to send residents to southern treatment centres.


Julie Green had a busy first day of session as the new minister of Health and Social Services. Regular MLAs peppered Green on several health-related topics, including the possibility of an addictions treatment centre in the NWT. Jackson Lafferty, MLA for Monfwi, cited the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action…

Community, Featured, News October 16, 2020

New CBC North director wants to bring Indigenous voices to the forefront of Canadian media

“Indigenous languages first,” says Mervin Brass, “I’m not happy with the status quo.”


Mervin Brass says he isn’t satisfied with the status quo. As the first Indigenous senior managing director for the North region, Brass says he plans on using his position to create opportunities for aspiring journalists. He has taken over for Janice Stein after nine years of service. “My dream is…

Community, Featured, News October 13, 2020

Gwich’in Elder’s son has ‘mixed feelings’ taking over father’s 25-year char monitoring legacy

These traditional skills are dying, says Fred Carmichael.


Like father, like son, or so the saying goes. Since John Carmichael’s recent retirement from the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Boards’ char monitoring program, his eldest son Harry Carmichael has taken over. “He taught me everything I know,” says Harry Carmichael, John’ son, but “I’ll probably never have the fishing knowledge…