The Week's News: Elections, Uber and art
Plus watch highlights from Folk on the Rocks
Hello readers, this is Cabin Radio assistant editor Emily.
The 54th Dene National Assembly is currently under way in Dettah. On the agenda is the election of a new national chief, with George Mackenzie having just been announced as the winner.
In other political news, Kimberly Fairman has been confirmed as the NWT’s Conservative candidate in the next federal election, while the Liberal party is starting its search for a territorial candidate after Michael McLeod said he would not seek re-election. The NDP has already selected Kelvin Kotchilea as its candidate.
Also in the news this week, Hay River was named Canada’s most active community, Yellowknife is discussing whether to allow ridesharing, and we explored a therapeutic community at an NWT jail.
If you weren’t able to attend last weekend’s festivities at the Folk on The Rocks, we’ve got you covered – from photos to more photos and video highlights. You can also listen to festival highlights on Cabin Radio every Monday evening at 9pm.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
Our most important stories
FOTR highlights
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
Yellowknife’s post office receives a new name and new look
The owners of Yellowknife's post office changed its name to Akaitcho Post and unveiled new artwork that they said "amplifies the Indigenous presence" downtown.
Hay River wins national active communities challenge worth $100K
Hay River has won 2024's Participaction Community Challenge, earning the town $100,000 toward sports and recreation programming.
Tent pad burned, says resident who responded to Yellowknife fire
A fire near the NWT legislature that temporarily closed some Yellowknife roads involved a burning tent pad, a resident who witnessed it said.
Volunteers ‘furious and disturbed’ over fire at tent encampment
Volunteers working on a Yellowknife tent encampment believe a Saturday fire at one tent pad, which destroyed a couple's tent and belongings, was arson.
NWT jail that became therapeutic community is working, advocates say
A former inmate at Hay River's jail says its approach – it is a therapeutic community – turned his life around. Advocates say the model is the way forward.
Does this NWT man have the world’s largest set of energy drink cans?
An "accidental collection" of energy drink cans is on display in Hay River. It took nearly two decades to assemble and its owner is chasing a world record.
In remembering Cheyenne Alexie, a family walks a path of grief
The loss of a loved one in Fort McPherson prompted reflection on sobriety, grief, and the path forward for a family and a community.
Should Yellowknife allow ridesharing services like Uber?
You can't use Uber or Lyft in Yellowknife. At the moment, there's no plan for things to change – but some councillors think the city should be working on that.
NWT maxes out immigration program for 2024 calendar year
The NWT hit the federally imposed maximum for its most popular immigration program, the first time that has happened in the territory's history.
How electronic medical records affected one NWT patient’s care
The NWT's electronic medical records system is coming up for replacement. One resident walked us through ways he says the current system failed him.
Free week-long exhibition showcases queer art in Yellowknife
A Queer Arts Week exhibition has its last day at Yellowknife's Gallery on 47th Street on Thursday, followed by a closing reception.
Ottawa to spend $67M improving some stretches of NWT highway
Dehcho highways are a major beneficiary of new federal funding for upgrades, with work also planned for the Dempster, Ingraham Trail and Whatì access road.
Yellowknife will use radar speed signs to gather traffic data
Electronic signs will soon appear in Yellowknife that gather data on traffic and vehicle speed. They were one item raised as council discussed street safety.
Psychiatrist cleared of NWT privacy breach over assault report
A psychiatrist didn't break the law when he gave health data to RCMP while reporting an assault against the victim's wishes, the NWT privacy commissioner ruled.
Watch: Virtual insanity at Folk on the Rocks
Watch Cabin Radio’s Folk on the Rocks 2024 highlight reel: 150 seconds of Sarah and Ollie’s favourite moments, set to Ragged Ass Swing Band’s Jamiroquai cover.
What we’re reading
In Tuktoyaktuk, nail art offers a novel record of climate change
From Claire: In this opinion piece in the Narwhal by Eriel Lugt, Jen Bagelman, Anne Vibeke Mou and Karla Jessen Williamson, the authors discuss how people in Tuktoyaktuk used nail art to document the effects of climate change. They write about how nail art is an intimate practice that brings people together and is connected to a long tradition of Inuit hand art.
The war over safe drug supply in Vancouver
From Emily: The drug crisis across Canada and how best to address it is a hot and sometimes contentious topic. For Maclean’s, Omar Mouallem writes about a safer supply effort in Vancouver.