An election debate, a railway and a power outage
Plus watch highlights from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation's spring carnival
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor, with another week of news from across the Northwest Territories.
A lengthy power outage in Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀ that resulted in the cancellation of a touring musical has been the talk of the town this week.
In preparation for the upcoming federal election, we’ve published interviews with all four candidates running to be the NWT’s next MP in both written and audio form. We also have an election promise tracker and an explainer on how to register and when and where to vote in the election.
Tune in to Cabin Radio’s candidate debate tonight from 8pm on our website or the Cabin Radio app.
In other news, our story about the challenges sex offenders can face accessing treatment in the NWT has been nominated for a Canadian Association of Journalists' award in the online media category. You can find all the awards finalists here.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our best stories
Tea boiling and nail driving
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. Green Party stands by NWT candidate after logging protest ruling
"We stand in solidarity with Rainbow Eyes," the Green Party said as its NWT candidate, who's based in BC, asked Canada's Supreme Court to intervene in her case.
2. NWT Green candidate’s BC court appeal allowed, still faces jail
A BC court allowed an appeal from Rainbow Eyes, the NWT's Green Party candidate in this month's federal election, but she still faces a jail term.
3. ‘He lived a good life.’ Elder Ted Blondin leaves enduring legacy
Elder Ted Blondin is remembered for his immense professional impact on the North as well as his kindness, stories and sense of humour.
4. Aircraft makes Yellowknife emergency landing after nose gear fault
A small plane made an emergency landing at Yellowknife Airport on Monday evening after its front landing gear malfunctioned. Everyone involved is safe.
5. What tariffs could do to Yellowknife’s only bookstore
Spend 15 minutes looking at Donald Trump's trade war through the lens of Yellowknife Books, an independent bookseller trying to understand how it might be hit.
6. Lawyers make arguments in GTC board meeting dispute
The Gwich'in Tribal Council and its components are still in court over how the council is being run following a dispute about an election. Here's the latest.
7. GNWT seeks to resolve rail repair dispute by adjudication
The NWT government says its dispute with CN Rail over a section of damaged rail line between Enterprise and Hay River is now in adjudication.
8. Hay River backs GNWT in CN dispute over damaged line
The Town of Hay River, on the wrong end of CN's decision not to repair its wildfire-damaged rail line, is preparing to support GNWT efforts to force CN to act.
9. Calgary Police Service investigating NWT RCMP member
The Calgary Police Service is investigating an incident involving an NWT RCMP officer. Neither police force is willing to provide details.
10. How about turning Yellowknife’s old pool into a skate park?
Yellowknife's old swimming pool closes for good on Sunday, but the building could be repurposed. This group says an indoor action sports park is the way to go.
Celebrating spring the northern way
Tea boiling! Nail driving! Hand games! Ehxea and Jasmine met some of the contenders at 2025’s Yellowknives Dene First Nation Spring Carnival in Dettah.
What we’re reading
Drawing (on) a decade of climate change in the North
In this article for The Narwhal, Elaine Anselmi speaks with Yellowknifer Alison McCreesh about her graphic novel memoir Degrees of Separation: A Decade North of 60.
‘North of North’ Is Set in Arctic Canada, but Radiates Warmth
For Rolling Stone, Alan Sepinwall writes a glowing review of North of North, a Netflix/CBC/APTN comedy series filmed in Iqaluit and starring Inuk actress Anna Lambe.
First Nation files lawsuit accusing Alberta of ignoring concerns over oil sands reclamation plans
For The Globe and Mail, Emma Graney writes about the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s suit alleging the Alberta government failed to address flaws in its mine security program.
The Return of the Dire Wolf
A US biotech company’s claims that it has resurrected the dire wolf from extinction made the front page of Time Magazine. Colossal Biosciences says it used DNA extracted from fossils and the genetic code of a grey wolf to breed three wolves: Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi. But some experts say the animals are not truly dire wolves.