Meet the Team

Judi Kochon was born and raised in Fort Good Hope and has more than 40 years journalism experience. Her first spoken language is K'asho Got’ine, and is fluent in English. Judi is on-air weekdays starting at 2pm. Reach her at judi.kochon@cklbradio.com or call 867-766-2552 ext. 113

Mary Rose was born and raised in the Dene community of Behchokǫ̀ and has more than 30 years experience in journalism. Her first spoken language is Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì and she is fluent in English. Mary Rose is on-air weekdays starting at noon. Reach her at maryrose.blackduck@cklbradio.com or call 867-766-2552 ext. 113

Marlene was born and raised in Lutsel K’e and had a varied career including working as a Chipewyan teacher and instructor in Lutsel K’e before joining CKLB in 2020. Marlene is on-air weekdays at 10am. You can reach Marlene at marlene.michel@cklbradio.com

Wıìlıìdeh Yatii is the Tłı̨chǫ Yatı dialect traditionally spoken by Yellowknives Dene First Nation people in and around the communities of Dettah, Ndilǫ, and Yellowknife. Kathleen's news and information show runs weekday mornings at 9 am.

Roy is a broadcasting veteran, who also runs The Native Press with his son, Zachary. Roy’s informative and entertaining morning show is heard weekdays. Roy is originally from Red Lake, Ont. and studied at University of Western Ontario. He lives in Dettah, but you can reach him at roy.dahl@cklbradio.com

Cassandra (River) Blondin Burt is a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and is a two-spirit Dene musician, poet, artist and Earth Medicine Maker.

Cassandra’s column, Medicine Stories, ran in Northern News Services publications for the last three years, and across Turtle Island: the Malahat Review; Yellowhead Institution; and Ink Stick Media. Cassandra recently a second collection of Poetry (Starchives Vol. 2 Meditations on Earth Philosophy).

In 2018 Cassandra was host and producer of Medicine Talk Radio for CHLY 101.7 in Nanaimo, B.C., a weekly radio show with a focus on Indigenous News, and rock n’ roll. In 2024 Cassandra toured the NWT as a storyteller and performer with NACC’s Heart of the Dene tour, and appeared on multiple stages across the NWT bringing songs and visions to audiences of all ages.

Cassandra studied Language Arts and Philosophy at Vancouver Island University, and currently lives and makes medicines, off-grid, in Ndilǫ

Connor is from Mayerthorpe, AB, and has worked in Yellowknife media since 2021 before joining CKLB in 2025. Previously to his time in the North, he was a reporter and show host at rural stations in Saskatchewan. He is eager to meet people in communities across the NWT and tell their stories. Contact him at connor.pitre@cklbradio.com