This Week's News: Reading, rubbish and resolutions
Plus highlights from Ptarmicon, drag brunch and a culinary festival
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor.
I can’t believe that it’s already August. It feels like this summer is just blowing by.
People across the NWT are getting out on the land to enjoy the sunny weather while lots of events and festivals are taking place in communities.
If you’re in Yellowknife this weekend, you can listen to live music and take in some art at Old Town Ramble and Ride or have a bite to eat at Rib Fest. Last weekend, we checked out Ptarmicon, drag brunch at the Wildcat Café and the NWT Culinary Festival.
Kátł’odeeche First Nation is hosting a water conference this week and a hand games tournament over the weekend.
It’s also been another busy news week here at the Cabin Radio office.
Two big decisions came out of NWT courts earlier this week.
SMS Equipment Inc was fined $200,000 for a charge under the NWT's Safety Act related to the death of a worker at the Gahcho Kué mine in September 2022. The NWT Supreme Court also ruled in favour of Łútsël K’é Dene First Nation in a lawsuit against the former head of its business arm.
In political news, we sat down with Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, while he was in Yellowknife to learn how Ottawa is supporting immigration efforts in the NWT.
Plus we we caught up with an underwater cleanup of Great Slave Lake, Norman Wells has Little Free Libraries, Wrigley is getting six new homes, and the Dene Nation passed more than a dozen resolutions at its national assembly.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our most important stories
Meet the coolest kids from Whitehorse
What we're reading
Stories to catch up on
Team North Scuba Club removes 8,000 lb of garbage from Con Mine Wharf
Yellowknife's scuba club cleaned up the waters of Con Mine Wharf on Friday, removing eight truckloads and an estimated 8,000 lb of garbage.
GNWT, RCMP investigating Fort Good Hope wildfire
The NWT government says it is actively investigating the wildfire that caused Fort Good Hope's evacuation, which it believes started as an abandoned campfire.
Wrigley’s Housing Society secures six new homes
This fall, Wrigley will have six new move-in ready homes. It's part of the community's plan to manage and govern their own housing.
Norman Wells museum sets up Little Free Libraries around town
Take a book, leave a book. Norman Wells now has three adorable little libraries for people to drop off books and find new reads.
Dene Nation declares state of emergency over drug crisis
Delegates at the 54th Dene National Assembly passed a resolution declaring a state of emergency to address the harmful impacts of alcohol and drugs.
After initial excitement, lithium exploration slowing down in NWT
Last summer, ‘the sky was abuzz with helicopters' servicing lithium exploration sites in the NWT. There's since been a dramatic downturn in lithium exploration.
Lack of neurology services in NWT ‘unacceptable,’ resident says
Neurology services at Stanton Territorial Hospital ended in April. One resident says their inability to access a neurologist is 'inexcusable.'
In pictures: Gamers and cosplayers unite at Ptarmicon
From cosplaying to LARPing and gaming, Ptarmicon had it all. Check out our photos from the 'world's most northern' gaming and pop culture convention.
Group seeking location for NWT arts centre
A non-profit organization planning to develop a territorial arts centre is looking for feedback on potential locations in Yellowknife.
Massive hike in Yellowknife development appeal fees proposed
Yellowknife's council appears set to increase the fee for appealing developments in the city from $25 to $2,500, citing abuse of the system.
In pictures: Drag brunch at historic café makes space for queer joy
"Having places to be in queer community is really important." Check out our best shots from Saturday's drag brunch at the Wildcat Café.
Culinary festival brings Gwich’in chef ‘home’
Chef Steph Baryluk joins the 2024 NWT Culinary Festival, creating fine dining with local whitefish, cloudberries and cranberries.
Q&A: How NWT’s therapeutic community changed one man’s life
Cabin Radio spoke with a former resident of the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre's therapeutic community about his healing journey.
Watch: Cows Go Moo put the rock in Folk on the Rocks
Yes, Folk on the Rocks was nearly two weeks ago, but we had so much fun we’re still sharing content from the festival!
Cabin Radio’s AJ Goodwin met Cows Go Moo, the Whitehorse band of young teenagers (and pre-teens) who played hard rock covers and some original songs.
What we’re reading
Beverley McLachlin is watching the world’s legal drama
As someone who often covers court, justice is a topic I’m particularly passionate about. In this fantastic interview by Katie Underwood for Maclean’s, former Canadian Supreme Court judge Beverley McLachlin talks about everything from writing fiction to Canada’s legal vulnerabilities.
Jasper and the great sadness
Many Canadians have been horrified by the destruction a wildfire has caused in Jasper this summer. For Canada’s National Observer, Chris Hatch writes about the “deep-bone sadness” the disaster has left him feeling.