Vuntut Gwitchin, Yukon gov't decry U.S. bill that opens Alaska refuge to drilling

by Paul Tukker

'If we continue to irresponsibly develop, then what does that say about all of the animals and people across our land? It will be communicating that nothing is safe,' says Vuntut Gwitchin councillor Dana Tizya-Tramm.

Nunavut co-op orders too many toys, gives them away for Christmas

Children in Igloolik, Nunavut, will get a welcome surprise this Christmas. The Igloolik Co-op ordered too many toys and management is donating them to the community.

Some chimneys installed wrong, could pose fire risk: Yukon gov't

EXCEL chimneys that pass through interior floors in a house may be improperly installed and could be a fire hazard. Homeowners are asked not to use them without having them first inspected for proper installation.

Tlicho government to hand out hampers instead of benefit cheques this holiday

Grand Chief George Mackenzie says that the Tlicho leaders decided to hand out hampers this holiday season, in place of cheques.

Northwestel internet service restored for affected businesses and Whitehorse airport

A data connection issue has been fixed after it affected businesses and the Whitehorse airport Friday morning, says Northwestel.

Still no deal with U.K. over ownership of Franklin ships, artifacts

by Dean Beeby

Ottawa and Britain have been in formal talks since May 2016 over transferring ownership of the Franklin expedition wrecks to Canada. A deal seemed imminent in October but an agreement is still being negotiated, with talks partly hung up on the issue of money, an internal document indicates.

Arctic will likely never return to former frigid days, says climate change report

by Kayla Rosen

The Arctic will likely never return to the frozen state it once enjoyed because of the effects of climate change, according to the 2017 Arctic Report Card.

Cultural centre, artist studios in Cape Dorset exceed $3M fundraising goal

The Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, is becoming a reality after the community raised more than the $3 million it needed to get the project to the finish line.

N.W.T. population projected to be older, centred in larger communities, and slightly less Indigenous by 2035

by Jamie Malbeuf

The N.W.T. Bureau of Statistics released its projections of the territory’s population in 2035. It projects that smaller communities will get smaller, and the general population will get older.

'Santa's Elves' and their helpers deliver 159 Christmas hampers to Inuvik families in need

by Mackenzie Scott

Inuvik's Santa's Elves, and helpers, delivered 159 hampers full of Christmas cheer on Thursday.

Yukon gov't to build an 'ice Band-Aid' across river at Dawson City

The Yukon government will try to "nudge Mother Nature along" this winter by hiring engineers to help the Yukon River freeze over at Dawson City. 'We're going to take action,' said Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn. 'Mother Nature is sort of a fickle mistress, and we're going to help her create an ice bridge across the Yukon River.'

Sabina gets final project certificate, major investment for Nunavut gold mine

by Walter Strong

A day after Sabina Gold and Silver announced it had secured a $66 million investment from a Chinese backer, the company reported it had received its final project certificate from the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

Yukon studying Ontario court decision on prisoner segregation

by Philippe Morin

The Ontario Superior Court ruled this week that more safeguards are needed to prevent abuse when prisoners are put in "administrative segregation."

2001 death prompted calls for 'dangerous ice' signs on Prosperous Lake, but where are they?

by Josh Campbell

Frank Hope says his sister didn’t have to die in 2001, and he fears the failure to follow up on coroner recommendations made at the time means someone will again die a needless death.

Majority of Iqalummiut can't afford burial expenses, says funeral director

by Sara Frizzell

Iqaluit's only funeral director says he has $350,000 worth of unpaid invoices for burials dating back to 2013.

Yukon ice patches nominated as potential world heritage site

The renowned archeological sites in southern Yukon are among eight significant places newly added to Canada's list of candidates for a UNESCO designation.

City of Yellowknife sets aside cash to support Operation Bike Park

by Jamie Malbeuf

The City of Yellowknife has budgeted up to $25,000 to support Operation Bike Park - a project headed by the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club. Geoff Foster, the club’s president, has wanted to bring a bike park to Yellowknife for three years.

Nunavut high school principal was hired despite criminal harassment record

by Nick Murray

According to court documents, Gregory Campbell, 52, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for his crimes, and two years probation, before he was hired as principal for Nasivvik High School in Pond Inlet, Nunavut.

Yukon prospector sees potential bonanza in robotic technology

by Dave Croft

'Can we imagine today finding another Klondike?' says Shawn Ryan, a Yukon prospector.

Man charged in robbery of taxi driver last week was out on bail

by Richard Gleeson

The 28-year-old man arrested after a cab driver was robbed in Yellowknife last week faces numerous other criminal charges, including assault and forcible confinement.

Dawsonites waiting for Yukon River freeze up — again

Most years, the river is frozen by now and the territorial government would be preparing to build and maintain an official ice road crossing. But like last year, there's still open water.

Accommodation at the Yellowknife women's shelter expands for 8

Yellowknife Women's Centre has eight new housing units in the basement of the women's shelter, and it's already full.

Baker Lake, Nunavut, to vote on ending liquor restriction in community

by Sara Frizzell

The question on the ballot will be: “Are you in favour of ending the current system of liquor restriction in Baker Lake and having an unrestricted system where only the general liquor laws of Nunavut apply?”

New MMIWG hearing dates set for Yellowknife and Rankin Inlet

New dates have been announced for community hearings in Yellowknife and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, as part of the MMIWG national inquiry.

Yukon Quest recognized for social media strategy

by Max Leighton

The Canadian digital marketing company Elephant's Remark has acknowledged the Yukon Quest for its social media work.

Construction begins on 3rd Arctic patrol vessel at Halifax Shipyard

by Keith Doucette

Canada's federal procurement minister isn't ruling out the possibility of asking Irving Shipbuilding to build more Arctic patrol vessels to address a looming gap in the construction of two new fleets of naval vessels in Halifax.

Most Yukon murders remain unsolved for 2017

by Philippe Morin

Yukon saw eight homicides in 2017 which is far above average. So far only two of the cases have led to criminal charges.

After responding to 3 vehicles that broke through ice so far this year, N.W.T. gov't asks public to be careful

The number of vehicles reported to have gone through the ice around Yellowknife continues to rise. According to the N.W.T. Department of Environment, its spill response team has responded to three vehicles through the ice so far this year.

Teslin Tlingit Council says it's 'drastically underfunded,' pushes for better deal with Canada

by Meagan Deuling

'Our hope is that Canada will see that we mean business. We didn't sacrifice all these years going into negotiating these agreements for them not to be upheld,' said Duane Gastant Aucoin, a councillor with the First Nation.

Mom tells Yellowknife court she didn't know drug trade would land her in so much trouble

Katrina Stiopu admitted her role in the Todd Dube drug ring, saying she provided Yellowknife area houses in Ndilo and on the Ingraham Trail to stash drugs. The Dube drug ring had a thriving business selling cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs in Yellowknife.

Christmas is a go in Arctic Bay, Nunavut as hamlet employees hold off striking

The 20 full-time hamlet employees in Arctic Bay, Nunavut are not going to go on strike this Christmas season.

N.W.T. gov't calls for input on new climate change strategy

by Jamie Malbeuf

The N.W.T. government's new strategy to combat climate change comes with a list of 70 actions to mitigate its destructive impact.

N.W.T. Premier says federal government refuses to uphold devolution agreement

by Hilary Bird

N.W.T. Premier Bob McLeod says the federal government has only met once to discuss land management of the Beaufort Delta region over the course of four years.

No drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge say Fort McPherson, N.W.T., protestors

About 50 protestors gathered in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., to protest the possibility that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge may be opened to drilling for oil and gas.

Dawson City says no to placer miner's Dome Road plans

'The council felt that there was too many potential adverse impacts on public safety, health,' said Mayor Wayne Potoroka.

Saved by brother from icy waters as a youth, Cree marathon runner returns favour with kidney donation

by Betsy Longchap, Susan Bell

A Cree marathon runner from the James Bay community of Mistissini is giving his brother a special Christmas gift this year - a healthy kidney and freedom from dialysis.

After Whitehorse murder trial, victim's father still struggles with loss

"The day the trial started I looked upstairs and I said, 'give me strength, because I’m going to need it,'" said Roch Brisson, whose son Christopher was killed in 2015.

Suspicious death in Pelly Crossing was homicide, RCMP say

Police have identified the victim, found dead last week, as 37-year-old Derek Edwards, and say autopsy results confirm it was homicide.

Lawyers want 'extremely generous' sentence in Ingraham Trail drunk driving case

Prosecution and defence agree that Joshua Moore should face a light sentence because his blood alcohol level registered only slightly over the .08 legal limit.

Nunavut man who evaded police for 3 months seeks trial by jury in Cape Dorset

David Mikkigak made an appearance by video conference at the Nunavut Court of Justice on Tuesday.

Colville Lake, N.W.T.'s 1st custom election a 'learning experience' for band management

by Randi Beers

Chief returning officer Barry Gully called Colville Lake's first-ever custom election a 'learning experience' but said all in all, it went well.

Sentencing hearing starts for woman who was 'a central cog' to major N.W.T. drug network

The Crown is asking for a five-year sentence for Katrina Stiopu and a three-year sentence for Ryley Moore.

Baffinland Iron Mines expects to meet or exceed its annual haul allowance this year

The Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation has alerted the Nunavut Impact Review Board it is on track to haul more iron ore from the Mary River mine than it's licensed to haul.

Video Reindeer antlers' amazing skin regeneration may someday help heal human injuries

by Tricia Lo

The fuzzy covering on reindeer antlers could hold the key to scar-free, speedy healing for severe human skin injuries and burns, say researchers in southern Alberta.

Missing 15-year-old girl located, say Yellowknife police

Yellowknife RCMP said on Tuesday they now know where the teen is. She was reported missing early Monday morning.

N.W.T. fire marshal says delay hindered ability to determine cause of Inuvik house fire

by Mackenzie Scott

Why a house fire in Inuvik started - and then reignited after being decided out - cannot be determined, says N.W.T. fire marshal.

Donations pour in for N.W.T. family that lost home in fire 2 weeks ago

by Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi

The Lafferty family lost everything in the fire that destroyed their home in the early hours of Dec. 6. Now the seven children are staying with different family members.

Young American woman takes up dog sled racing in the Northwest Territories

by Kirsten Murphy

21-year-old Julie Ahnen from Bessemer Michigan is a dog handler-in-training in the Northwest Territories.

Low water at Mayo Lake lowers power generation for Yukon Energy

Yukon's Mayo B dam is producing a little more than half the power it typically does, because of low water levels in Mayo Lake. The means Yukon Energy is running one of its Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) generators in Whitehorse, around the clock.

Yellowknife's ice carving competition gets big funding boost

by Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi

Yellowknife's Long John Jamboree is getting $150,000 in funding for its ice carving competition.