A&W, Tin Can Hill and Hay River cabs
Plus a new Arctic foreign policy, a senate report and an Assembly of First Nations resolution
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor.
It has been a busy news week here in the Northwest Territories, from hamlet elections and budgets to a new Arctic foreign policy.
The territory’s health minister announced that she is replacing the NWT Health and Social Services Leadership Council with a public administrator. While the move drew praise from some as “decisive action” to address healthcare challenges, others, including the chair of the council and the Dene Nation, have expressed “grave concerns.”
In Ottawa, Indigenous leaders at a Special Chiefs Assembly overwhelmingly backed a Dene Nation resolution to include the NWT in a child welfare settlement with the federal government. Dene National Chief George Mackenzie says “it’s a huge accomplishment.”
Meanwhile, Yellowknife is abuzz after the owners of the city’s A&W announced it will shut its doors at the end of the year. We spoke with patrons of the fast food joint about what the restaurant has meant to them and the community.
Read on for more of the biggest news stories from the week.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our most important stories
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. The extraordinary northern life of Gail Cyr
From serving at the Gold Range to being named to the Order of Canada, it's hard to find something Gail Cyr did not do. She passed away aged 71 this week.
2. Senate report a ‘wake-up call’ to the North’s infrastructure needs
"The consequences of not acting are going to be catastrophic." One senator described their shock as a report lay bare the North's transportation challenges.
3. How big a problem are ‘hard vacancies’ for NWT RCMP?
NWT RCMP have new teams and positions – but must now fill them. Police have "no idea" who's taking one in five jobs here. We spoke with the man in charge.
4. YWCA Canada apologizes to Indigenous communities
YWCA Canada formally apologized for its role in the operation of residential schools and Indian hospitals, releasing a report on its connection to them.
5. Tin Can Hill ‘still a viable option’ for campus, assessment finds
Aurora College's president says Tin Can Hill is "still a viable option" for a new campus following an environmental assessment. But it's far from a done deal.
6. Fort Providence to build 60-bed emergency shelter
Fort Providence received funding for an emergency shelter and new water treatment plant, while a camp near Fort Resolution is also being funded.
7. Hay River finally has cab service again
Northstar Taxi is on the road with two cabs in Hay River, providing a service that had been missing for months. The company phone is ringing off the hook.
8. Judge rules 2023 Gwichya Gwich’in election was valid
An NWT Supreme Court judge dismissed a challenge to a 2023 election in which Mavis Clark was acclaimed as president of Tsiigehtchic's Gwichya Gwich'in Council.
9. Yellowknife finalizes 6% property tax increase for 2025
A six-percent property tax increase in 2025 was approved unanimously on Monday by Yellowknife city councillors after last week's deliberations.
10. What supports are available to private housing developers?
A private developer recently said there aren't enough supports to build affordable housing in the NWT. Here's a summary of what's currently available.
What we’re reading
Poilievre's 'Santa Claus' quip trivialized Inuit presence in Arctic, says national Inuit leader
Natan Obed says the Conservative leader trivialized Inuit and everyone who lives in the Arctic in a recent tweet about Canada’s new Arctic foreign policy. "The Conservative leader, through that comment, doesn't seem to appreciate the importance of diplomacy with other Arctic states, or those who have an interest in the Canadian Arctic. And that is a very concerning statement to have, especially for somebody who very recently was in Iqaluit and spent time with Inuit."
The Arctic just hit an unfortunate climate milestone
For Grist, Sachi Kitajima Mulkey writes about a finding from this year’s Arctic Report Card that shows the tundra has shifted from a carbon sink to emitting carbon into the atmosphere, due to wildfires and thawing permafrost.
Why the Law Fails Victims of Violent Partners
For The Walrus, Pamela Cross writes about the epidemic of intimate partner violence, how criminal law is ill-suited to respond and how she believes things need to change.