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MLAs vow tax fight
Yellowknife members of the legislative assembly say the premier will face strong opposition if he decides to go ahead with tax increases. Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy said the options given in the discussion paper released by the finance department are not the answer to revenue problems - particularly a proposed territorial sales tax.
Bacteria won't solve arsenic problem - feds
Scientists have discovered bacteria growing underneath Giant Mine that don't mind the cold or the arsenic either. Researchers from the University College London in Great Britain have identified what they believe is a new strain of bacteria thriving in arsenic-contaminated water seeping through bulkheads and drill holes connected to chambers where 237,000 tonnes of deadly arsenic trioxide is stored.
Two Yellowknife citizens' groups patrol streets
Last week, a long-time Yellowknife couple was so fed up with neighbourhood vandalism they suggested the city adopt a vigilante-type group similar to New York City's Guardian Angels.
Rate hikes on electricity expected
The chairperson for the NWT Public Utilities Board expects a 9.5 per cent rate hike on electricity bills over three years will be approved next month.
Judge releases troubled woman with 'appalling' record
Judge Bernadette Schmaltz released a 25-year-old woman from custody Tuesday until her next court appearance, a choice she said she didn't make lightly.
An artistic invitation
The Aurora Arts Society's fifth annual Arts Week starts tomorrow, offering exhibits and events until Sept. 28. The organizing artists would be very happy to see lots of interest from all sectors of the public, according to Vivian Gustafson, vice president of Aurora Arts Society.
Comfortable in the kilt
The bagpipes are probably not the most commonly played musical instrument in town. If people were surveyed about which instrument would be their top choice to learn, the guitar, piano and other instruments probably appear above them on the list.
Hidden talent on School Draw
A cozy home-based art gallery quietly opened on the bottom of School Draw Avenue two years ago. A small sandwich board on Franklin Avenue and another displayed in front of the lakeside residence during business hours are the only hints that a stunning collection of Northern art is available for sale at the location.
'Celebrities' wanted for auction block
Blind magician Brian Glow will be back at this year's celebrity auction for the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities Nov. 14 at the Explorer Hotel.
Chinese medicine practitioner in town
In a society dominated by Western medicine, Martha Rokeby-Thomas wonders how many people understand what it is exactly she does.
Organizing the nest
Quality Furniture is serving as the space to book appointments with visiting freelance feng shui consultant Anna Hunter. Hunter will advise home owners and businesses in the art of arranging their environments from Sept. 22 until Sept. 30.
Gas prices jump 10 cents
Earlier this week, average gas prices in Yellowknife jumped from $1.48 a litre to $1.57 a litre overnight. Some places, like the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, saw a full 10-cent increase. It's not, however, a move to profit the store, said Co-op general manager Ben Walker.
A global classroom
Spending a year studying in another country is a rare opportunity not everyone gets to take. The Rotary Club of Yellowknife is offering local students the chance to live for a year in a different country. There will be an information evening at St. Patrick high school next Monday at 7 p.m. Interested students should come out with a parent or guardian to learn more.
Get rid of your hazardous waste
Many household hazardous wastes end up in the landfill and that can be harmful to the environment. But tomorrow the city of Yellowknife and the GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be on hand at the Yellowknife Community Arena Parking lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to collect these items for free for proper disposal.
Sarah Hunt elected new president of the NWT SPCA
The NWT Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced their new board of directors at their annual general meeting on Sept. 10.
Arson case bumped to October
The Dettah man accused of setting fire to a house with two youths inside appeared in court Tuesday only to have his hearing delayed once more.

A summer with the military
While her friends in Fort Providence spent their summer holidays sleeping in and staying out late Allison Minoza had a regulated schedule to follow.
A decade of healing for Providence group
To mark its tenth anniversary the Fort Providence Residential School Society has launched a publication.
Floating classroom
After spending two weeks travelling in the eastern Arctic, Ramona Menicoche has a better appreciation for environmental issues affecting the North.
Hundreds attend healing conference
Tears flowed freely at the Journey to Healing and Reconciliation Conference as Charlie and Laura Tobac shared their stories from years spent in residential school.
Raising money for a cure
Troy Bradbury's feeling a bit light-headed after doing his part to support cancer research.
Crime spree in Fort Simpson
The RCMP in Fort Simpson is looking for information and suspects related to a series of crimes in the village.
Cancer fundraiser gains momentum
Twenty-eight years after starting his Marathon of Hope, Terry Fox gained some much-needed momentum in Inuvik this past weekend.
A grave lesson
A mock funeral was held earlier this week to show students the true effects drinking and driving can have on a community.
Games make math fun
Students at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school are learning old subjects in new ways.
Group marches for suicide prevention
A large group of people gathered at the hospital last week to show their support for suicide prevention.
Voting issues eased
Changes to the Elections Act in December 2007 have raised a lot of questions concerning voters' ability to cast their ballot on Oct. 14, especially in the North.
Far from home
Willie Thrasher has spent many of his days writing music and looking to reconnect to his lost way of life.
A community champion
The Inuvik Fire Department is showing its gratitude to Kurt Wainman.

Rare earth deposit explored
A Toronto-based exploration company believes it is sitting on a property outside Yellowknife host to a heavily-concentrated deposit of rare minerals known as rare earth elements, for which the global demand is rapidly climbing.
Dirty water
All homeowner Velma Sterenberg wants is to take a warm bath in clean water but she can't.
'No' to possible new sales tax
If the GNWT institutes a new sales tax in the territory, it won't go over well with Yellowknife businesses, according to the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce.
Campaigning on Facebook
In a time when communication methods are plentiful, candidates are looking to a popular online networking tool to reach the voting masses.
Old Town goes downtown
The Dawgwoods are hosting a harvest hootenanny at the Top Knight on Saturday and you and your kin are invited.
Travellers do Yellowknife's Terry Fox run
Among the 284 people who participated in Sunday's Terry Fox Run was a special group of friends from outside Yellowknife.
Yellowknife in 50 years
Great cities aren't built in one day. They start with a foundation and through a solid framework and flexible vision, a community and its people will see success as the city becomes a more cohesive and complete structure.
City wants to invest its money
Putting together an investment strategy for Yellowknife is kind of like growing up, joked city councillor Lydia Bardak at Tuesday's meeting.
Woman dies in car accident
A 29-year-old woman died in a roll-over car accident on Saturday night near kilometre 252 on Highway 3.
More than just reading and writing
The NWT Literacy Council will celebrate NWT Literacy Week from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 with six days of activities.
Black market toys
"Black market" and "stuffed animals" are two phrases not often used together. At least, that was the case before Webkinz's April 2005 debut by Canadian company Ganz.
Strumming in the streets
Every September weekend in Yellowknife is precious. One of the joys of the mild weather is the chance of hearing spontaneous serenades by musicians who bring their songs into the streets. Sometimes it's buskers playing for toonies on Franklin Ave.
Councillors suggest posting fire statistics on website
A bit more public disclosure on the Yellowknife Fire Department would do the city some good, city councillors said during Monday's committee meeting.
Yellowknife Catholic trustees meet
The Yellowknife Catholic school board will hold a meeting of the board of trustees tonight at Weledeh Catholic school.
Simailak faces $5,000 fine
Baker Lake MLA David Simailak repeatedly breached the Nunavut Integrity Act and attempted to use his position to benefit his own business interests, according to a long-awaited report by the territory's interim integrity commissioner.
Infrastructure tops federal election wish list
The need for improved community infrastructure will influence which box many voters tick on their ballots in the federal election next month.
Grandmother to 24 goes back to school
Usually it's the parents at the airport bidding goodbye to their college-bound children in September. This is not Jenny Ussak's case...
Grizzly grievances
Kivalliq hunters voiced their opposition to the listing of grizzly bears as a species of special concern at a hearing held to discuss the animal last week.
Rankin hunter kills troublesome grizzly bear
One of the grizzly bears blamed for damaging cabins around Rankin Inlet met its end last week. Local hunter Savik Ataaq Kownuk shot it Sept. 6.
Women walk for cancer
Three Rankin Inlet women will step up for a good cause later this month. Sisters Lizzie Tanuyak and Veronica Tattuinee, along with friend Leonie Berry, will travel to Winnipeg to take part in Challenge for Life.
Coral Harbour hosts elders' event
Elders travelled from a number of Kivalliq communities to Coral Harbour this month to share their traditional skills.

New taxes could fend off further budget cuts
YELLOWKNIFE - NWT residents and business owners are less than impressed with tax increases the GNWT is considering in an effort to plug a $40 million hole in its budget over the next two years.
Halt oilsands, chiefs say
RADILIH KOE'/FORT GOOD HOPE - Some First Nations leaders are calling for a moratorium on tar sands expansion, and they made a promise to continue educating people living in the Mackenzie basin about threats to their water system.
NDP leader stops in Fort Smith
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A day after the announcement of a federal election next month, NDP leader Jack Layton made an appearance in Fort Smith to discuss his concerns about Canada's North.
Tired of travelling for dialysis treatment
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Fort Smith resident Clara Abraham travels to Yellowknife three times a week to receive four-hour dialysis treatments.
Caribou controversy in McPherson
TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON - Reports of non-traditional hunting practices on the Dempster Highway have hunters in Fort McPherson defending their harvesting methods.
News/North Candidates Forum
Each week leading up to the Oct. 14 federal election, News/North will pose questions to the candidates from all four parties
Bell discusses infrastructure in the hub
HAY RIVER - A few days after NDP leader Jack Layton paid a visit to Fort Smith, the Conservative candidate for MP of the Western Arctic, Brendan Bell, took to the campaign trail in Hay River.
Picking up hazardous waste
RADILIH KOE'/FORT GOOD HOPE - The NWT's first hazardous material pick-up project was held in Fort Good Hope last Wednesday. Residents were encouraged to drop off any hazardous waste such as spent motor oil, batteries, paint and cleaning supplies.
Aboriginal company purchases helicopter
DEH CHO - Dehcho Regional Helicopters, which is owned by the Fort Simpson Metis Nation and the First Nations from Jean Marie River, Trout Lake, Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte, has purchased its first helicopter, an Astar
worth $1.6 million.
No place like home for Smith family
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - After travelling the world for a year the James family has returned to their home in Fort Smith.
Making a fare living
TUKTOYAKTUK - The two-way radio in Joanne Edwards' taxi crackles to life and the voice of her dispatcher reminds her of one of her fares.
Can you spell e-x-c-i-t-e-d?
HAY RIVER - Caitlin Chambers, 11, has already proved she has a talent for spelling. The Hay River resident is one of four contestants from the territories who qualified for the regional championships in the CBC series Canada's Super Speller.
Hip hop in the house
INUVIK - Creative youth in Inuvik learned some new skills this month. A group of hip-hop performers and self-described "community media activators" were in town last week to teach youth new skills about music and video recording and production.
Aklavik artist to work with diamonds
AKLAVIK - Jewelry artist Robert Buckle of Aklavik received a $6,900 grant this year from the NWT Arts Council to purchase equipment to help him expand his range of artwork.
Keeping Fort Smith history alive
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Since launching a search for photos of Fort Smith throughout the years Kevin Brunt has managed to collect close to 15,000 pictures.
Shaved heads an offer of support
LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS - When Russell Manuel and Benji Louison found out their close friend Louis Edgi was going to lose his hair during treatment for cancer they made him a promise.
Tuk port pushed at transport show
TUKTOYAKTUK - The Tuktoyaktuk harbour, the Mackenzie Valley highway and the pipeline were all the talk of the town as exhibitors and delegates convened last week in Hay River for the second bi-annual Start Your Engines Transportation Logistics Show.
Simailak's conduct 'totally unacceptable' - report
IQALUIT - David Simailak, MLA for Baker Lake, never thought anyone would see e-mails sent between him and business associates while he was a cabinet minister.
Canada's highest minimum wage
IQALUIT - At $10 an hour, Nunavut's minimum wage is now the highest in Canada. In June, the legislative assembly approved an increase of $1.50 based on the increases in the cost of living throughout the territory.
Cellular service on the way
IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - Cambridge Bay will finally receive cell phone service on Sept. 24 after a nearly month-long delay, becoming the third Nunavut community to go wireless.
Alone in the snow with broken bones
KIMMIRUT/LAKE HARBOUR - Jamesie Kootoo used knowledge gained through his 64 years in the North to survive a harsh hand dealt to him on the land last March.
Health survey greeted warmly by communities
NUNAVUT - For nearly a month, 38 members from Nunavut and across Canada cruised the Northwest Passage, stopping in coastal communities along the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Nunavut to survey Inuit about their health.
Housing, economic development top candidates' list
NUNAVUT - Three Nunavut candidates launched their campaigns in Iqaluit last week following Prime Minister Stephen Harper's call for a federal election on October 14.
Iqaluit mayor takes on Okalik
IQALUIT - If someone had told Elisapee Sheutiapik six years ago she would become a politician, she would never have believed it.
Canada, Nunavut set protocol for devolution negotiations
NUNAVUT - Canada and the Government of Nunavut have set a protocol for devolution talks.
Project teaches students about heritage
IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - In Cambridge Bay, Emily Angulalik has been assisting a team of archeologists in making the connections between her ancestors' relics and the living culture of their descendants.
Tradition through song
RANKIN INLET - The kitchen at Maani Ulujuk school in Rankin Inlet fills up with students eager to practise an ancient musical art every Wednesday evening.
Another year of music in Iqaluit
IQALUIT - The Iqaluit Music Society is busy again this year planning lots of community initiatives and performances.
A journey of 3,000 miles to hear Inuit
IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - A group of British and American kayakers is journeying 3,000 miles by kayak and dog sled across the Arctic to hear about the experiences of Inuit in relation to climate change.
Eight run for presidency
KITIKMEOT - Residents of the Kitikmeot region will be heading to the polls next Monday to elect a new president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA).
Residents want two rinks
IQALUIT - Iqaluit city council will soon decide whether to invest in the necessary repairs to restore the Arctic Winter Games Arena as a fully-functioning facility.