Remembering the victims of the Fort Smith plane crash
Plus Aurora College to close all community learning centres
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor.
Today marks one year since six people tragically lost their lives and one person was seriously injured when a plane crashed shortly after taking off from Fort Smith en route to the Diavik diamond mine.
During tributes in the NWT Legislative Assembly last year, Richard Edjericon, the MLA for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, described those on the flight “as some of the North’s best and brightest.” Crystal Benwell said her brother Howie, one of the victims, had a kind heart and always lit up the room with his jokes.
The Town of Fort Smith and the mine are holding memorial services today and those impacted are in our hearts and minds here at Cabin Radio.
A Transportation Safety Board investigation of the crash is ongoing.
[Editor’s note: As this newsletter was heading out the door, Aurora College said it plans to shut down all of its 19 community learning centres across the NWT by the end of June. Read about that here and we’ll have more on Friday morning.]
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our most important stories
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. YK women’s shelter seeks public’s help amid capacity issues
After the closure of a GNWT-backed on-the-land camp outside Yellowknife, a shelter in the city asked for help finding more space to run a similar project.
2. City of Yellowknife abdicates responsibility for Elon Muskox’s name
With Elon Musk now a Trump devotee accused of Nazi salutes, the name of Yellowknife's muskox mascot is no longer funny to some. The city appeared to disown it.
3. What we know about the PowerSchool data breach in the NWT
NWT parents asked us if the massive PowerSchool data breach affects children even if they left school years ago. Here's what we know so far.
4. Norman Wells reinstates local state of emergency
The Town of Norman Wells again declared a local state of emergency, accusing the NWT government of "at best a piecemeal response" to cost of living concerns.
5. Ian Legaree, one of the North’s great organizers, passes away
Ian Legaree drove forward NWT youth sports and the Yellowknife Community Foundation with an ability and energy few others possess. He has passed away aged 65.
6. GNWT still doesn’t have Ottawa’s approval to increase debt limit
The GNWT is still in months-long talks with Ottawa to increase its federally imposed borrowing limit. One key NWT fiscal responsibility rule has been broken.
7. In pictures: Tāpis take over Fort Smith’s museum
A new exhibition at Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum showcases tāpis, decorated blankets designed for sled dogs. Take a look at some of them.
8. Reopening after an upgrade, Fort McPherson’s arena is a hit
"This is a very big record number." Upgrades to Fort McPherson's arena are driving renewed enthusiasm for sports in the community, hamlet staff said.
9. Long-awaited Aven Pavilion celebrates grand opening
A Yellowknife development of 102 seniors' housing units held an opening ceremony this week. Here's a look inside the facility with the help of some residents.
10. Former Yellowknife councillor takes stand during trial
Robin Williams denied all allegations against him, including assault and sexual assault, as he took the stand in his defence in NWT Supreme Court on Tuesday.
What we’re reading
Meet the Canada Reads 2025 contenders
This article details the five books that are in the running for 2025’s Canada Reads – CBC’s annual book competition – and the debaters who plan to champion them.
How little birds wearing tiny backpacks can help us solve big problems
I love a good bird story. This article by Matt Simmons for The Narwhal explores a project following migratory boards through the use of tiny solar-powered trackers.
‘Severance’ Is Finally Back. Its Creator Is Ready to Talk About It
My latest TV obsession is Severance, which is now starting its second season, three years after its dramatic season-one finale aired (which I only recently watched for the first time). In this article for The Ringer, creator and showrunner Dan Erickson discusses the series.