The Week's News: Black History Month and wildfire reviews
Should there be a public inquiry into the NWT's 2023 wildfire season?
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor.
While there’s just one more week left in February, there are still events and opportunities to learn about the contributions of Black people to history during Black History Month.
In the NWT, Black advocacy coalition BACupNorth has been hosting many events including a mental health workshop. Later this week, Inemesit Graham’s art exhibit Black in History will open in Yellowknife.
This month was also the first time that the NWT’s 20th Legislative Assembly held a full session, where MLAs could grill newly elected ministers. Topics discussed in the legislature so far have included funding needed for the Yellowknife street outreach program, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the status of a public housing project in Yellowknife, delays in evacuation-related financial support, progress on a new school in Colville Lake, and the impact of Covid-19 funding ending on healthcare.
One of the biggest debates has been whether there should be a public inquiry into the territory’s 2023 wildfire season, the worst on record with more than four million hectares of land burned. While some MLAs and residents have called for a public inquiry, the premier said that’s unnecessary as the NWT government has already planned two reviews. Premier RJ Simpson has also raised concerns about the territory’s Public Inquiries Act, which at least one MLA has disputed. MLAs ultimately voted in favour of holding a public inquiry on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean the government will do so.
Over the past few weeks the assembly has also released a short list of priorities for the next four years while the territorial government has announced a carbon tax exemption on home heating diesel, an interim budge and a fiscal sustainability strategy that aims to find $150 million in extra cash every year (which has sparked criticism from the Union of Northern Workers).
Now let’s dig into some of our other best reporting from the past three weeks and what we’ve been reading from elsewhere.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
Our most important stories
Check out progress on the Snowcastle
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
‘We’re gonna beat this.’ Aaron Godson Hernandez battling cancer
Aaron "Godson" Hernandez says he is thankful for the support of his family and community as he fights cancer.
‘People needed this.’ Hay River celebrates residents at awards gala
Hundreds of Hay River residents came together for the first Community Spirit Awards, with 11 volunteers and organizations recognized for their contributions.
Mayor of Tuk says community feels abandoned over record snow
"Does snow count as a natural disaster, or is it different?" Tuktoyaktuk's mayor queried the GNWT's response as huge quantities of snow buried Tuk's highway.
NWT team delivers ‘personal message’ at world snow sculpting event
At a snow sculpting championship in Minnesota, an NWT team carved caribou leaping through a river as a means of symbolizing last year's environmental drama.
Gwich’in Grand Chief explains why he’s moving to Edmonton
The Grand Chief of the Gwich'in Tribal Council is leaving Gwich'in territory to live in Edmonton. He set out his reasons for making that move.
Supreme Court upholds law that triggered IRC-NWT dispute
Canada's Supreme Court backed a federal law on Indigenous child welfare, ending a case that caused an argument between the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and NWT government.
Hay River’s Simara Wilson talks volunteerism, identity and pride
"She blossomed into this wonderful person." Meet Simara Wilson, a fiddle teacher and cultural advocate who just won Hay River's youth volunteer award.
Angela James sets out her vision for the NWT’s university
What does Aurora College's incoming president think about Tin Can Hill? Where does she plan to live? What's her vision for a polytechnic university? We asked.
Angus Beaulieu, musician and ‘living history of the North,’ passes away
Métis fiddler and master storyteller Angus Beaulieu has passed away. His music "gave people permission to be happy for two or three hours. That was his magic."
Change of mayor prompts four Enterprise councillors to resign
In an extraordinary move, four councillors refused to work with newly elected Mayor of Enterprise Sandra McMaster and gave up their seats. She is undeterred.
‘Effectively impossible’ for sex offenders to get treatment in NWT
"Spending time to make sure people don't commit these crimes in future is a no-brainer." A lot of sexual offences happen in the NWT, but getting help is hard.
Rapper NorthSideBaby brings more to Gamètì than music
Gamètì doesn't host many touring musicians, but TikTok hit NorthSideBaby will stop in next month. He says his fans keep persuading First Nations to book him.
Girls’ hockey, newly energized, makes Yellowknife its epicentre for a week
A major four-day girls' hockey camp brought hundreds of northern players to Yellowknife amid a burst of excitement driven by a new pro league.
Vital Metals boss says taking China cash was a necessary step
After Chinese investment in Vital Metals' NWT mine rattled politicians in late 2023, the company's boss defended the move and promised "no surprises" in future.
Protest after Fort Simpson parents allege teacher struck child
A Fort Simpson resident called on parents to keep their kids out of school for a day after one family alleged their eight-year-old had been struck by a teacher.
Watch: Snowcastle magic
Every winter for nearly three decades, a team of builders and carvers in Yellowknife have constructed a giant castle from snow and ice. The iconic snowcastle (don’t you dare call it an ice castle) hosts the Snowking’s Winter Festival, which features live performances and other events throughout March.
It’s magical seeing the snowcastle come to life each winter with intricate carvings, windows made from blocks of ice, and various rooms and features. This year’s edition is inspired by the work of Spanish architect and designer Antoni Gaudi. We headed down to Yellowknife Bay to check out the progress so far.
You can see the castle for yourself during guided construction tours, which are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1:30pm between February 1 and 25. The castle will officially open at noon on March 2. You can check out the schedule of events and buy tickets on the festival’s website.
What we’re reading
The ‘Into the Wild’ Bus Was a Pilgrimage Site in the Wilderness. Can It Hold Up in a Museum?
From Emily: This fantastic longform piece by Eva Holland in Outside Magazine details the origins, current whereabouts and complex legacy of Fairbanks Bus 142, also known as "the magic bus," the "Stampede Trail bus" and the "Into the Wild bus". The iconic – and somewhat controversial – bus was abandoned in the Alaskan wilderness and made famous by the bestselling book Into the Wild and its film adaptation. "With connections to statehood, the military, the postwar boom, mining, road construction, hunting, and outdoor adventure, Bus 142’s story touches on nearly every big moment in modern Alaskan history."
Tanya Tagaq Plays A Pivotal Role In 'True Detective' Season Finale
From Emily: If you’re anything like me, you’ve been gripped by the latest season of True Detective, set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska. A special part of the series is that it features Inuk artist Tanya Tagaq, both on the soundtrack and on screen.
Sure, I'll Join Your Cult
From Simona: I'm currently reading Maria Bamford’s memoir. I haven't finished it yet, but so far, it reads like her stand-up comedy. Maria is a confessional comedian, and her memoir incorporates the candid and cringeworthy honesty she's best known for on stage. Would love to know what others think.