Health

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…


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,…



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…



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…


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…


Shelters are full in Yellowknife, MLA seeks solutions from GNWT

Number of bed seekers has increased and 'capacity is being completely overwhelmed,' says Shauna Morgan


Emergency shelters in Yellowknife are “completely overwhelmed,” with MLA Shauna Morgan saying she’s afraid the system will collapse without solutions being found soon. Morgan is the MLA for Yellowknife North, which includes the Salvation Army complex, which is struggling at over double of its capacity each night. “I would like…


Midwives in training question the future of midwifery in the territory

Midwives Association says GNWT did not consult with advisory groups before listing $990K cut in proposed territorial budget


“Unfortunately, it really shows that in times of budget cuts, it is primarily women and children who bear the brunt of it and whose services are usually the first to be reduced,” says Gabby Lamarche, one of two Yellowknife residents training to be midwives. The territorial government plans to cut…


Brown crack in Hay River a danger for users, says CPHO

Hay River’s ongoing illegal drug problem has prompted another public health advisory, as potentially lethal mixtures including with methamphetamine are now being detected. Brown crack cocaine mixed with multiple other substances including fentanyl, norfentanyl, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine found in the town prompted today’s health advisory. Hay River has detected benzodiazepine…