An election, a budget and pond hockey
Plus an aerial view of the Snowcastle
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor.
It’s been another busy news week here at Cabin Radio.
Mark Carney was elected leader of the Liberal party, becoming Canada’s first prime minister born in the NWT, at least until the upcoming election. We spoke with some residents of Fort Smith, Carney’s hometown, about their thoughts.
Cabin Radio editor Ollie spoke with top NWT health officials about their view on changes to Yellowknife primary care and the future of healthcare in small communities. Caelan Beard examined how NWT healthcare compares to the rest of Canada, while the NWT Medical Association – which represents territorial physicians – told us what it’s doing to retain healthcare professionals.
In the NWT Legislative Assembly, some MLAs remain critical of the impending Indigenous Employment Policy while Robert Hawkins was ordered to withdraw remarks he made about Shauna Morgan. The finance minister announced an additional $41 million in housing spending in the draft budget.
At City Hall, Yellowknife councillors appear set to make an unusual change to the city’s community plan for a private developer. They also agreed to redirect federal funding from replacing a drinking water pipeline to a failing pumphouse.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our best stories
The Snowcastle from the sky
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. DND walks back entirety of minister’s ‘substantial increase’ pledge
Last week, Canada's defence minister announced a "substantially increased investment" in northern military hubs. DND now says there's no new money at all.
2. NWT’s Yakeleya Newmark joins new National Council for Reconciliation
"This is all of our work as Canadians." Mahalia Yakeleya Newmark was appointed to the National Council for Reconciliation's inaugural board of directors.
3. MLAs call for critical incident investigation into deaths
MLAs passed two motions aimed at addressing gaps in NWT healthcare: one involving "highly preventable deaths" and the other focused on medevac escorts.
4. No injuries after truck incident on winter road
Authorities managing the winter road north of Yellowknife said a stricken truck shown in viral photos this week did not go through the ice and nobody was hurt.
5. Women’s society disputes Northview claims of housing program
Writing to MLAs, the Yellowknife Women's Society – replying to comments by housing giant Northview last week – disputed some claims and urged more cooperation.
6. No refs, no goalies and the best pond hockey ice in Canada
This month's Polar Pond Hockey in Hay River, already a monument to a national pastime, felt more Canadian than ever. See photos and meet the people behind it.
7. New transitional housing project opens in Yellowknife
A Yellowknife home has been transformed into a transitional housing facility that can help five people at a time on their path to recovery.
8. Ottawa won’t fund community safety program in NWT past 2026
A community safety program piloted in Fort Liard seems unlikely to expand to other communities because of a legislative obstacle to continued federal funding.
9. Jody Wilson-Raybould highlights consensus during speech
During a keynote speech in Yellowknife, Jody Wilson-Raybould spoke about leadership, consensus, reconciliation and being an "in-betweener."
10. Astronaut Jeremy Hansen makes NWT visit
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is speaking at a public event in Yellowknife this week and meeting youth in the city, Dettah, Ndılǫ and Łútsël K'é.
The Snowcastle from above
Want to see the iconic Snowcastle from the air? Take a look at some of the amazing drone shots Cabin Radio manager Andrew took of this year’s venue for the Snowkings’ Winter Festival on Yellowknife Bay.
What we’re reading
Narwhals may be using their tusks to play, new study finds
For CNN, Julianna Bragg writes about new evidence suggesting narwhals not only use their tusks to strike and manipulate fish during feeding but also for play.
Iconic sled dog races — the ‘spirit of the North’ — face a reckoning
For The Narwhal, Trina Moyles writes about how climate change is impacting the Yukon Quest.
How Bonavista became a run-down Lumon company town for Severance
As a Severance fan, I was excited to learn the latest episode of the TV show was filmed in Newfoundland. This CBC article delves into how the Bonavista Peninsula transformed into the fictional Salt’s Neck. [Editor’s note: I, too, love Severance. This New York Times piece tells you more about the imposing building that stars as Lumon’s offices.]