Collateral damage – where do Indigenous economies fit in climate change crusade
There has been heavy criticism of the mining industry in our opinion newspages lately, notably Yellowknifer columnist and community commentator Nancy Vail and Joan Kuyek, formerly national coordinator of Mining Watch Canada.
Both are excellent...
Guest Comment: Northern minister reflects on visit
By Dan Vandal, minister of Northern Affairs
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Churchill, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife for the first time since being named the Minister of Northern Affairs. I met many...
Editorial: MLA childcare benefits cast a long shadow
In the spring of 2018 the territorial government was deep in negotiations with the Union of Northern Workers, which represents more than 4,500 GNWT employees.
The timing couldn't have been worse for a freeze on...
When the heart says NO: A nice break from the cold
Yay, the cold snap is over. I saw way more people on the streets talking and laughing today than I've seen for some time. No more ice fog. Woohoo.
On Thursday, it was -13 C...
Sports Talk: Ladies and gentlemen, your 2017 World Series champions: the Houston Asterisks
Stealing signs in baseball has been going on since the sport was invented. It's a crappy thing to do but it happens.
It's an unwritten rule in the game: you don't do it or you'll...
News/North editorial cartoon Jan. 27
Cartoonist John Henderson's take on our coverage of a report from the NWT Privacy Commissioner that highlighted questionable practices like the faxing of sensitive health information and the loss of a laptop with the...
Yellowknifer editorial cartoon
John Henderson's take on Northwest Territories foster families sounding the alarm on a child welfare system that has already received heavy scrutiny from the Auditor General of Canada.
Subscribers can click on the cartoon to...
EDITORIAL: Is a bad deal better than no deal at all?
During one of the dizzying number of government meetings I've attended in the last week, someone made a mention about how it was important to jump on opportunities and be generous when bargaining with...
Tales from the Dump: Was Stanton built for the North?
The current GNWT government has inherited a really big white elephant from the previous government, namely the new Stanton Territorial Hospital. It might have looked mighty impressive when it opened but then a number...
Notes from the trail: our own banana republic
With fires raging in Australia, Africa, Indonesia and the Amazon, it is irresponsible for any newspaper, elected official, private industry or senior level bureaucrat to be promoting increased mining without ensuring it is fully...
GUEST COMMENT: Danny McNeely – Mackenzie Valley Highway will help build territory
The GNWT's 18th Legislative Assembly has recently concluded. It is with considerable pride that I wish the incoming assembly representatives wisdom, patience, and perspective as they govern on behalf of the citizens of the...
Mountain View: Ghost beads
Friends, an excerpt from my next book, now well on its way ...
"He was rushing to catch up.
With older brother ‘Antone’ on his way back north, Kelleroy just wanted to go ahead and leave...
GUEST COMMENT: Flag debate a needless distraction
When I read the Yellowknifer headline on the issue of the national flags flying at city hall (“Yk council debates flying national flags,” Jan. 15), I instantly looked over at a colleague and shook...
EDITORIAL: What a party!
Well, that was epic.
Three days of workshops, fireworks, dog sled rides, dancing, singing, movies and snow carving. All within walking distance.
And all for free.
To heck with the Calgary Stampede. This is where it's at....
When the heart says NO: Should I get the flu shot?
Every winter, thousands of Canadians are put in the hospital and hundreds die because of the flu. Yet over half of Canadians do not get the flu shot. Eschia.
The flu shot is free and...
Northern Wildflower: A decade changes everything
I have to say I'm glad the holiday season is over. To me, it's lost its meaning almost entirely and it has become an excuse to overindulge. Christmas often leaves me with the feeling...
Tales from the Dump: A cocoon of seven blankets at Stanton hospital
Well here it is 2020. That has a nice symmetry and a certain ring to it. Now it is time to get down to work.
As some of you may know, in December during the...
Notes from the trail: Raise price on plastic bags
It is time for all retail stores in Yellowknife, and across Canada, to increase the cost of plastic bags from 25 cents to 50.
This needs to happen immediately. And if consumer habits do not...
NORMAN YAKELEYA: Many heartbeats, one drum in 2020
By Norman Yakeleya, Dene National Chief
As we enter the holiday season and prepare for 2020, it is important to take time to reflect on all we have accomplished as Dene people as we move...
Mountain View: This writer is ready for another at-bat!
Friends, a writer by definition should be a glutton for punishment, if not a miser for misery!
After having lived with my first book, From Bear Rock Mountain; The Life and Times of a Dene...
Notes from the trail: Time for party politics in the NWT
Consensus government is no longer working in the Northwest Territories. It is time for us to move toward a party system where the needs of electors are heard. It is in that system where...
Tales from the dump: A winter yarn for the fireplace
Here is a little winter tale for one and all.
One December, I had to get some work done on some of my mineral claims, so I was out by myself for a couple of...
EDITORIAL: On that dreaded deficit…
Finance Minister Bill Morneau released his fiscal update Dec. 16 and the usual chorus quickly chimed in its holiday doom predictions.
Projections for the deficit in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 grew by close to $8 billion...
When the heart says NO: Beating the Christmas blues
Ever have the Christmas blues?
No? Well, a lot of people do and for different reasons. Some people miss the good times in the past or have bad memories of Christmas, someone may have died,...
EDITORIAL: Nature knows no borders
I noticed a bit of a theme threading through the last few weeks of stories I've been covering — the concept of a border and why it's a silly construct.
All borders are effectively psychological....
Notes from the trail: A cycle of violence against the planet
For the life of me, I do not understand why policy makers cannot see the link between various resource sector operations and the people they are supposed to be supporting; and intimate partner violence.
This...
Sports talk: Is it over for Bill Peters, Mike Babcock and Marc Crawford? Not...
Oh, look … someone else gave Donald Trump and his supporters more ammunition.
Jessica Kwong, formerly of Newsweek – I say formerly because she lost her job because of this – decided to regale us...
Mountain View: How self IS self-government?
Friends, the novelty of self-government is a perfect example of how colonialism really works.
The teacher has left the room, so someone from the class is now in charge.
To properly understand the process one go-to...
Northern Wildflower: Walk the path with us, or get out of the way
There is a lot of talk lately about the "rise" of Indigenous governments. But what does that exactly mean? Who are we referring to when we talk about rising? Is it the government that...
Letter: No time left to be afraid of change
From: Adithi Balaji
St. Patrick High School
Dear editor,
We are often afraid of change.
Humanity is reluctant to let go of the past, in fear that a changed future might be bleak. However, in recent years, it...