Justice

Featured, Justice, News, Police September 24, 2024

Ferocious fight in Norman Wells sees bear-spray, stabbing, crossbow shooting

Both participants flown to hospital; one had active warrant for a smilar incident and now faces a list of charges


A young man wanted for a violent home invasion two weeks ago was arrested after another similar crime saw a crossbow and bear-spray used, plus another sharp weapon. On September 22nd, Norman Wells RCMP received a report that a person had been stabbed at a residence, stated a release. Officers…

Featured, Justice, Law courts, News August 26, 2024

Zakk Lafferty’s second-degree murder trial to be held in Yellowknife

Behchokǫ̀ man wanted to be tried by a jury in his home community, but Crown concerned over mistrial if impartial panel couldn't be found


A Behchokǫ̀ man charged with murder wanted to be tried by a jury of his peers in his home community. However, while it now has a suitable venue for such a trial – its new cultural centre – the Crown remained concerned over being able to find an impartial panel…

Featured, Justice, Law courts, Police August 7, 2024

Senior Beaufort Delta educator charged with sexual crimes against children

Education Council assistant supt. Richard Steven McKinnon’s alleged offences occurred in Inuvik and Ulukhaktok between 2018 and 2020


A senior employee of the Beaufort Delta Education Council has been charged with multiple sexual offences alleged to have occurred in Inuvik and Ulukhaktok between 2018 and 2020. Forty-four-year-old Richard Steven McKinnon, assistant superintendent of the Beaufort Delta Education Council, was arrested by RCMP on August 5 and subsequently charged…

Featured, Justice, News, Police July 19, 2024

Appeal court rules northern RCMP justified in abusing Inuvik drug dealer’s rights

‘This is not to say police have license to disregard Charter rights in some communities,’ says NWT Court of Appeal.


The illegal drug scourge “in the community of Inuvik, and in the Northwest Territories in general” is so bad, police might be excused if they are a bit loose with a suspected cocaine dealer’s Charter rights. The NWT Supreme Court’s bench has for years expressed frustration and disgust for outsiders…

Featured, Justice, News, Politics July 18, 2024

Decrease in pre-trial custody corresponds with increase of repeat offenders

'Perhaps we've been a bit too lenient at the expense of public safety,' says Premier RJ Simpson


Canada’s premiers have called on the federal government to review its recent changes to bail legislation, as it might not be closing  the revolving door for charged individuals. That was one of the asks from the Council of the Federation at the end of its two-day meeting in Halifax on…

Featured, Justice, News, Police July 11, 2024

Yellowknife-based Canadian Armed Forces reservist charged with luring a child

While charge is related to online actvity, the accused's employment places him in a position of trust and authority over youth


A Canadian Armed Forces reservist member who works with youth has been charged with luring a child, following an investigation by the RCMP NT Internet Child Exploitation (NT ICE) unit. Sixty-year-old Craig Routery a Warrant Officer with 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, stationed at Yellowknife, was arrested on July 8th,…

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…

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…