The Trailbreaker
with Joslyn Oosenbrug

 Since it's almost Valentine's Day, this week on our money column we're taking a look at your relationships and your money -- and the connection between the two. Joslyn spoke with local money coach Nancy Zimmerman.

 And don't forget -- if you have money tips to share, or questions about something money-related, call our talkback line: 1-866-271-9957 or 873-4928.

 Officials have called off efforts to recover the bodies of three Canadians who died in a plane crash in the Antarctic. The Twin Otter aircraft crashed into a steep slope of Mount Elizabeth last Wednesday. Peter West is with the U.S. National Science Foundation -- one of the organizations involved in the effort. He spoke with Joslyn on the Trailbreaker this morning. 

 A damning audit was released on Monday, calling into question how the Attawapiskat First Nation handled more than 100-million dollars in public funds.

 It has also put the spotlight on Chief Theresa Spence, who is among those leaders set to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday.... and who is into the 29th day of her hunger strike.

 According to the audit, which was conducted by Deloitte, on average, over 80 per cent of files did not have adequate supporting documents.

 Pam Palmater is a spokesperson for Idle No More... and Academic Director of the Centre for Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University. Here's some of her reaction to the audit's findings:

 Joslyn also spoke with Rob Russo, Ottawa Bureau Chief for The Canadian Press -- about the audit, and this Friday's meeting between the Prime Minister and First Nations leaders.

 Researchers at Queen's University have traced air pollution dating back almost 50 years to Alberta's oilsands. Their team, which includes federal scientists from Environment Canada, has been examining sediments from lakes in northern Alberta. They've discovered hydrocarbons have increased -- in some cases, by more than 20 times pre-oilsands levels.

 Joshua Kurek is a post-doctoral fellow at Queen's University, and the lead author of the paper published yesterday. He explained his research to Joslyn:

 It's been three years since the territorial government announced a ban on hunting Bathurst caribou ... Three years since outfitters had any tags to offer the hundreds of hunters who used to travel here for caribou. What was once a multi-million-dollar industry has collapsed, leaving outfitting companies struggling to stay afloat.

 Malcolm Jaeb and his family run True Noth Safaris out of Yellowknife. Here's his extended interview with the CBC's Elizabeth McMillan.

 Northerners will soon get a choice when it comes to phone service.

 Toronto-based Iristel is setting up shop here, and offering land-line service to customers in Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Whitehorse.

 This morning, Joslyn talked to Andrew Robulack, a Whitehorse tech blogger, about what competition is going to mean to the North.

 Ironically perhaps -- partway through their conversation, Andrew's cell phone line cut out.

 Just two days before the Deh Cho Bridge is set to open, Joslyn talks to one of the Yellowknifers behind an early campaign to build a bridge over the Mackenzie River.

 She reached Ter Hamer in Peace River, Alberta.

 An anthology for northerners -- by northerners -- is being launched tonight in Yellowknife.

 Joslyn spoke with the executive director of NorthWords, Annelies Poole.

 

 Interested in a sneak peek of some of the work in Coming Home? Here are some of the authors, reading excerpts from their stories:

 Jamesie Fournier - Children of the Strike

 January Go - For Us

 Jordan Carpenter - Finding Home

Colin Henderson - The Points

The homes were jacked up a little bit higher. And community members are a little better prepared. But for the most part, if Nahanni Butte were to flood again as it did this spring, the consequences would be just as dire. Joslyn asked the Chief of Nahanni Butte, Clayton Konisenta, and acting Band Manager Alison de Pelham about what lies ahead for the community, and whether relocating homes to a less flood-prone area is really an option.