What you missed over the holidays
Plus help us improve our news coverage in 2025
Happy 2025!
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor.
I hope you had a restful past couple of weeks.
It may have been quiet in the NWT, but Cabin Radio still published quite a few news stories.
Before 2024 ended, the ice road between Dettah and Yellowknife opened on December 21, the earliest it has opened since 2014. Last winter, by contrast, the ice road had opened on January 29, its latest opening date on record.
If you’re interested in looking back at what else happened over the past year, we have compiled lists of our most northern news stories, people the NWT lost, our best listens, best photos and best work from 2024. You can even try your hand at Ollie’s 2024 news quiz to see what you remember.
Read on for more of our best reporting from the past two weeks, what we’ve been reading, and a short survey where you can give us feedback.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our most important stories
Tell Cabin Radio what you think
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. Here’s what Michael McLeod wants the Prime Minister to do
The NWT's Liberal MP admits Justin Trudeau is "not everybody's favourite person" in the North, but has a nuanced view of what should happen in the months ahead.
2. New book explores story of notorious northern sex offender
Arctic Predator explores the life and crimes of Ed Horne, who was convicted of sexually abusing Inuit boys while he was a teacher in Nunavut from 1971 to 1985.
3. Entrepreneur hopes to create a safe space in Inuvik
Danita Frost-Arey says she wants to address the stigma of substance use by creating a range of supports for Inuvik residents through her new business.
4. Yellowknife teenager to play hockey for Mexico at U20 worlds
Yellowknife high school student Mario Hernandez will play U20 world championship hockey for Mexico in late January.
5. ‘I really hope this book will be read by northerners’
Gwichyà Gwich’in historian Crystal Gail Fraser's new book documents the strength of people forced into the residential school system in the Mackenzie Delta.
6. Meet the NWT’s newest Little Free Library and its steward
Yellowknife's latest Little Free Library is in position – and being checked out by the local ptarmigans – after a 1,600-km journey north.
7. Watch a 1962 trip along the Mackenzie River
In the early 1960s, members of the Molson Brewery family travelled the Mackenzie River from Hay River to Tuk. Here, for the first time, is the video they shot.
8. Arthur Boutilier’s decades of plans, drawings and photos find a home
From 1981 to 2011, Arthur Boutilier "learned to listen and listened to learn" as a planner helping northern communities. His work is now in the NWT Archives.
9. In pictures: Yellowknife’s Merry Moments soccer tournament
Merry Moments, an annual soccer tournament hosted by the YK Galaxy club, offers on-field reunions for older players and a field of dreams for younger ones.
10. Yellowknifers have been counting birds at Christmas for 40 years
Join the Yellowknifers who take time each Christmas to figure out which birds – and how many of them – are calling the city home in winter.
Take Cabin Radio’s satisfaction survey
Have you ever wanted to tell us what you really think of Cabin Radio?
We’ve released a satisfaction survey to help us better understand how our audience uses the services we offer, what you like and how you feel we could improve our news coverage in 2025. You can take the survey here.
You can also read some highlights from the 200 or so responses we’ve received so far. (Your name and email will remain anonymous if you respond to the survey).
What we’re reading
Hot Frosty’s Dustin Milligan loves staring at frozen lakes (and the fish that swim in them)
Dustin Milligan took The Narwhal’s moose questionnaire where he answered a range of questions about the environment and awe-inspiring natural sights. You can also listen to his December appearance on Cabin Radio’s Clams ‘n’ Moose where he talks all about Hot Frosty.
The Year Ahead: 100 Predictions for 2025
For 2025, Maclean’s has published a series of articles on predictions for the upcoming year from what we can expect in climate news across Canada to politics, tech and culture.
How well do you remember the top stories of 2024? Take our end-of-year news quiz
If you tried your hand at Ollie’s NWT news quiz and are looking to test yourself further, Globe and Mail has released a quiz on the top news stories across Canada (and a few from the US and beyond) in 2024.
The wife & I love your posts.
My question, given the name of your Stack, is "are y'all HAM radio or CB folks?
WY7AC & 2EK762.