A northern minister, a wildfire review and Mary Walsh
Plus what people are reading for NWT Literacy Week
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor with another week of news from across the Northwest Territories.
Warmer weather is starting to arrive here in the North and the ice and snow are nearly gone. While that means fun in the sun, it also unfortunately means the start of wildfire season.
A suspected person-caused fire resulted in an evacuation alert for Fort Smith over the weekend. Thankfully, the fire is now under control and no longer a risk to the town.
So far, officials with NWT Fire say May has been quiet from a wildfire perspective – but conditions could become more dangerous in July and August. Regardless of the weather, wildfire officials say people should exercise caution.
Speaking of wildfires, the long-awaited review of the NWT government’s response to the historic 2023 wildfire season was released this week.
One of its main recommendations was that the territory should create a dedicated emergency management agency with Indigenous governments as full partners. We also delved further into some of the challenges with Yellowknife’s evacuation identified in the review.
In other news, our reporter Aastha recently returned from a trip to the Sahtu region. She spoke to residents about how they’re addressing food insecurity, from a hot breakfast program and other efforts in Fort Good Hope to a food pantry in Norman Wells.
In federal news, former Yellowknife mayor and newly elected NWT MP Rebecca Alty has been named minister of Crown-Indigenous relations. This is the first time a politician from the territory has served as a minister since Ethel Blondin-Andrew was minister of state for northern development from 2004 to 2006.
In territorial politics, three MLAs have threatened to seek the health minister's removal from cabinet if they don’t see action on 13 priorities. Other MLAs also expressed concerns with the pace of change but said they “want efforts to remain constructive,” while the premier has backed health minister Lesa Semmler.
Meanwhile, the NWT Medical Association pushed back against Semmler’s characterization of healthcare changes, and a survey by a northern nurses’ association suggested strong support for a separate collective agreement for the territory’s nurses.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our best stories
NWT Literacy Week
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. We’re still not 100% sure why these Yellowknife foxes look like this
Many months after being first noticed around Yellowknife, the peculiar appearance of some city foxes continues to intrigue experts.
2. Mary Walsh on ‘ambushing’ politicians and the role of satire
Before her show in Yellowknife on May 17, Mary Walsh spoke with Cabin Radio about ambushing politicians and the role of satire in politics today.
3. Will there be much of a 2025 barge season? Here’s what we know
Last year, low water wiped out the NWT's barge resupply season along the Mackenzie River. Here's the latest on the summer 2025 resupply plan.
4. Enterprise, under administrator, dealing with ‘big rift in community’
Explaining why he thinks the GNWT replaced Enterprise's council with an administrator, the outgoing mayor said the hamlet remains divided after a 2023 wildfire.
5. Camp Connections to replace stolen teepee at long last
Nearly five years after its teepee canvas was stolen, Camp Connections has purchased a new one. It's among upgrades campers will find on arrival this summer.
6. NWT Dene leaders voice opposition to Alberta separation
"They have no right to separate from something they don't own." Alberta politics – and talk of secession – made the agenda at a Dene Nation forum in the NWT.
7. NWT premier pushes northern uniqueness for policies, trade
"One size doesn't fit all." The NWT's premier wants the new federal government to recognize the North is distinct when rolling out programs or new trade rules.
8. Yellowknife project wins $500K at Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony
A project to help Indigenous youth gain career and life skills won $500,000 from the Arctic Inspiration Prize. A Yukon health project won the million dollars.
9. Students test math skills to build tiny Yellowknife
A miniature Yellowknife has come to life on a giant cardboard base in a city classroom. As students are discovering, some buildings are easier than others.
10. Greenland minister takes over as Arctic Council chair
Greenland's foreign affairs minister took over as Arctic Council chair amid tension following Donald Trump's annexation threat and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
What you’re reading
It’s Literacy Week in the NWT and the NWT Literacy Council is hosting a slew of events in Yellowknife to celebrate. This year’s theme is connecting generations through literacy and learning.
Our new intern Miriam went to chat with folks who attended a free book giveaway.
Let us know what you’re reading!
What we’re reading
Forget Starlink. Indigenous Innovation Is Canada’s Best Bet for Rural Internet.
For Maclean’s, Rob McMahon, an associate professor at the University of Alberta, writes about the rise of Starlink in northern, rural and remote communities and the importance of investing in digital innovation at home.
Will Carney’s Government Act on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Report?
For The Tyee, Amanda Follett Hosgood writes about the lack of progress on the calls for justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and action advocates want to see from the new federal government.