Smoke in Hay River “not local”

The City of Yellowknife has released its findings regarding the public workshops about the gold mining industry that were held in November 2025.  

Four more school buildings have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in drinking water in a number of the water fixtures at the facilities, according to the latest announcement by the territorial government. With 24 tested school results announced to date, 20 have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in some of their drinking water fixtures.

Alternatives North believe they have uncovered evidence of the ‘regulatory capture’ of the GNWT Department of Industry Trade and Investment (ITI) by the mining industry, specifically regarding the regulatory policies surrounding the Mineral Resources Act. 

Dr. Candace Manitopyes, aka The Relentless Indigenous Woman, is working with Elders and Language Keepers in the North and across Turtle Island on relaunching an Indigenous languages program. Dr. Manitopyes says there is an urgency to support Indigenous language learning, especially for Northern First Nations communities, where culturally responsive community rooted resources are even more scarce.

“The language is who we are. Language is our Elders. Language is what makes us who we are,” said Paul Andrew, who emceed a special gathering in Yellowknife that included mentors and apprentice Indigenous language learners, their families, organizers and community leaders. This year’s cohort engaged in learned the languages of Gwich’in, Tłı̨chǫ, Inuvialuktun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut,Dene Kede, Dene Zhatıé, Nêhiyawêwin, Dëne Sųłıné and Wı̀ılı̀ıdeh.