Health

Culture, Featured, Health, News, Wildfires September 23, 2024

New trauma informed healing lodge for the Northwest Territories delayed until 2026

Dene Wellness Warrirors co-owner Roy Erasmus tells 15th Annual Voices for Peace Symposium counsellors are still being trained


The damage done by the devastating wildfires of 2023 continues to impact the health of the Northwest Territories, delaying the opening of a trauma-informed healing centre in the South Slave region. Not only is the former treatment centre on the Kátł’odeeche First Nation being used by the band after its…

Featured, Health, News, Police August 30, 2024

Dangerous experimental drug seizure prompts public health warning

Para-flurofentanyl was detected in recent drug bust enroute to Yellowknife, prompting Chief Public Health Officer's to raise alarm


A potentially lethal synthetic drug created for research purposes in the 1960s but was never intended for human use has been seized in the NWT, prompting a public health warning. Para-flurofentanyl was detected in a recent drug seizure enroute to Yellowknife, prompting the Chief Public Health Officer to issue a…

Community, Featured, Health, News August 29, 2024

Boil water advisory for Sambaa K’e lifted

A precautionary advisory was issued on July 15 due to a mechanical failure in the water treatment system


The boil water advisory for the community of Sambaa K’e has been lifted. The advisory was issued by the community government and the Chief Environmental Health Officer on July 15. It was due to a critical mechanical failure in the community water treatment system that caused muddy water. “There have…

Environment, Featured, Health, News, Weather, Wildfires August 18, 2024

When will wildfire smoke clear? Don’t hold your breath

As warmer, drier conditions return, smoky winds will push from the south until mid-week


Many areas in the NWT experienced cooler temperatures late last week, which was been helpful in limiting extreme fire growth. However, fire crews are now preparing as the weather fluctuates, NWT Fire stated on Sunday afternoon. Dana Bowen is with the Department of Environment and Climate Change. “There are currently…

Environment, Featured, Health, News, Weather July 16, 2024

Nahanni Butte’s water spoiled by the mineral manganese

Infants, children under five, pregnant women should not drink the tap water in a situation that could take months to fully rectify


Infants, children under five, and pregnant women in Nahanni Butte should not drink the community’s tap water due to high levels of manganese caused by a failure at the water treatment plant. Adults and older children are at a lower risk in that Dehcho community, but should still take precautions,…

Featured, Health, News July 10, 2024

New home for extended-care residents in Liwego’ati Building

It’s moving day for 10 extended-care residents, who will exit Stanton Territorial Hospital and enter the Łıwegǫ̀atì Building, the completely renovated old hospital facility, (pronounced kle-wa-goon-tea). There are 16 beds at present, with extra capacity on reserve for NWT clients who need these services in the future, the Health and…

Featured, Health, News, Politics June 14, 2024

New lab test appointment policy gets failing grade from MLA Julian Morse

‘We seem to have broken something while trying to improve it,’ says Frame Lake rep, responding to constituents' complaints


Two months ago, the NWT Health and Social Services Authority announced new options for accessing outpatient lab services at Stanton Territorial Hospital, effective immediately. However, the suite of ways to access outpatient lab services at Stanton has soured some feelings among clients who preferred the old method, the NWT Assembly…

Education, Featured, Health, Justice, News, Politics June 13, 2024

Midwifery gets a breather as Finance Minister reverses some proposed budget cuts

Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek promises Behchokǫ̀ will be part of planned program expansion before end of 2027


The territorial government has partially reversed plans to cut nearly $1 million from midwifery services as part of its 2024 proposed budget. Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek made the announcement at a committee hearing late Wednesday afternoon. “Midwives provide a valuable service to support health care in a culturally sensitive and…