Deepfakes, a relationship plan and an ophthalmologist
Plus what we're reading
Hello readers, this is Emily, senior reporter at Cabin Radio, with your weekly news update for the Northwest Territories.
People gathered in Łútsël K’é earlier this week to celebrate the first relationship plan for Thaıdene Nëné, which sets out a vision, goals and objectives for long-term stewardship of the Indigenous protected area.
Also this week in Tuktoyaktuk, residents celebrated the 42nd anniversary of Inuvialuit Day. In Yellowknife, people gathered to consecrate the site of a future residential schools monument.
In other news, James Marlowe was re-elected as chief of the Łútsël K’é Dene First Nation while Karen Youngman was elected as chief of the Tthebatthie Denesųłiné Nation.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our best news stories
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. Experts say Canadian law governing AI deepfakes is lacking
After two NWT youths were charged with using AI to create child sexual abuse and exploitation material, what protections are – and should be – in place?
2. Not a lot of evidence’ that NWT Scan legislation will work, MLA says
Most MLAs support NWT legislation that would create new civil powers to shut down drug dealing in some properties. Here's why Julian Morse is less convinced.
3. What is Mary Simon’s legacy as governor general? Here are five views
"For many Inuit, it meant more than representation." As Mary Simon completes her term as governor general, read how five northerners assess her impact.
4. NWT says its female inmate supervision rules aren’t working
The GNWT is looking to roll back changes to inmate supervision introduced at its jails over the past five years, saying the new rules have proven unworkable.
5. Len Smith, NWT’s only ophthalmologist, retires after 40 years
"He's a one-man show, just quietly, humbly doing his thing all these years." Colleagues are paying tribute to Dr Leonard Smith's decades of work in the North.
6. Why this solar farm is a ‘significant milestone’ for Inuvik
A solar farm at Inuvik’s Midnight Sun Complex is now fully operational and proving how well renewable energy can perform in northern climates, the town says.
7. After 2023, Yellowknife studies how to save (and spend) for crises
Yellowknife city councillors are working through how to squirrel away cash for the next crisis like 2023's fires – and then how to spend it when the time comes.
8. Senate wildfire report flags NWT gaps, urges national fleet
A Senate committee wants a national firefighting fleet and Indigenous-led response. The report sets out how Fort Good Hope felt left to fight its own 2024 fire.
9. Yellowknife’s Eman Lamvu becoming backyard ultra specialist
A young Yellowknife athlete is breaking northern records in a niche sport that involves running a loop every hour until you can't keep going any longer.
10. What would it take for NWT to host the Canada Games?
A new report outlines the potential challenges, risks and benefits of hosting the 2035 Canada Winter Games. The GNWT has yet to decide on whether to make a bid.
What we’re reading
“To Be Good Stewards…”
For Up Here magazine, Chloe Williams writes about Dahti Tsetso, who is leading a $375-million project to support Indigenous-led conservation.
Remembering ‘The Pit’
For Canadian Geographic, Alexis Jacobson writes about Dawson City’s historic Westminister Hotel, which was recently destroyed in a fire.
In photos: On the trail of this year’s 580-km Nunavut Quest dogsled race
Dustin Patar took spectacular photos of and wrote about the Nunavut Quest for Indiginews.