The territorial government announced it will be removing the highway 5 checkpoint at the NWT-Alberta border near Fort Smith. A press release says the checkpoint will be up until July 31. The checkpoint was established early in the pandemic as a preventative measure for ensuring no one could enter the…
The territorial government is accepting applications for addictions recovery and aftercare funds. The $780,000 annual fund will allow Indigenous governments to hire community-based counsellors, the department of Health and Social Services announced in a press release. “These counsellors will support individuals living in recovery from addictions,” the press release says….
Residents of Fort Smith can expect longer wait times as the community experiences another shortage of healthcare workers. The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is warning the community of this shortage up until August. This decision is “due to uncontrollable circumstances,” says the NTHSSA. Appointments will be…
The territory will be receiving an alternative method for COVID testing. Now young children and adults who can’t have the standard nasal swab test may use a spit test instead. “The tests are intended to provide an easier and less invasive method of testing for COVID-19,” says Jack Miltenberger, spokesperson…
After a tight race, Tommy Kakfwi was elected chief of Fort Good Hope. The certified results state Kakfwi earned 85 votes, defeating incumbent Chief Daniel Masuzumi who received 83 votes. “It’s the Elders, the Elders that wanted change,” Kakfwi said after news that he had won. However, he credited the…
It all started with a promise. “I told her one of these days, I’m going to follow my dream and I’m going to own a store.” Rose Martel remembers making this promise, tending to her mother’s bedside with a needle, thread and some beads- three years ago. Martel did this…
Deh Gáh Got’îê First Nation Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge says his community is planning to search for unmarked graves near the site of a former residential school. Chief Bonnetrouge confirmed the search will happen in the coming months, but few details have been established yet. He said other community’s have been…
A deceased 29-year-old man was found after a search and rescue operation near Behchokǫ̀. According to an RCMP press release, police received a call around 4:30 p.m. on July 17 that a man had entered the water under the bridge by Frank’s Channel. Police began searching the shoreline by vehicle…
Residents of Fort Good Hope will be voting in a chief and council election on Monday. Incumbent Chief Daniel Masuzumi is running against Tommy Kakfwi. Masuzumi was voted in as chief in 2019. There are also 12 people running for nine available councillor positions. This includes: Angela Chinna Jonas Chinna…
Residents of TthedzehK’edeli (Jean Marie River) First Nation will hopefully be able to return to the community by the end of July. However, they will likely have to wait until the fall before their homes are fully repaired. The community is in the process of establishing temporary housing for up…