Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Norman Wells

Isolated and expensive, the N.W.T.'s Sahtu riding feels squeeze of climate change

Isolated and expensive, the N.W.T.'s Sahtu riding feels squeeze of climate change

While the southern N.W.T. was battered by wildfires this summer, the territory's remote Sahtu region faced its own climate challenge: a historically-low Mackenzie River. For the first time in living memory, low water caused by extremely dry conditions prevented most of the season's supply barges — hauling everything from drywall to gummy bears — from navigating the Mackenzie. The river is a lifeline for the five communities that make up the N.W.T.'s Sahtu riding: Deline, Fort Good Hope, Tulita, Colville Lake, and Norman Wells, the regional hub of roughly 800 people. And the high cost of living is the number one issue heading into the Nov. 14 territorial election. 

'Where's the rock?': Photographer captures dramatic before-and-after shots of N.W.T. waterfall

'Where's the rock?': Photographer captures dramatic before-and-after shots of N.W.T. waterfall

It was the perfect setting for some spectacular and dramatic wedding photos — a wide, rocky ledge, overlooking a stunning northern waterfall. And standing proudly at the bottom of the N.W.T.'s Carcajou Falls, seemingly immovable amid the churning river, a massive, craggy pillar of rock, the very symbol of solidity and stability. That was then. Now, the pillar is gone, apparently reduced by the river to rubble in a matter of days. "It's kind of sad to see that it's gone," said photographer Nicky Lynn Richards, who lives in Norman Wells, N.W.T., one of the communities nearest to the remote falls. She's taken plenty of photographs there — including some amazing wedding photos. 

Imperial Oil visiting Sahtu communities in N.W.T. this week

Imperial Oil visiting Sahtu communities in N.W.T. this week

Imperial Oil is travelling to all five Sahtu communities in the N.W.T. this week for what it's calling "neighbour week."  The 143-year-old company says the purpose of the visits are for people to learn about its oil operation in Norman Wells, N.W.T., to ask questions, and to provide feedback. Company representatives will be in Norman Wells on Monday, Fort Good Hope on Tuesday, Tulita on Wednesday, Délı̨nę on Thursday and Colville Lake on Friday.

Imperial Oil reporting spill in Norman Wells occurred under Mackenzie River

Imperial Oil reporting spill in Norman Wells occurred under Mackenzie River

Nearly a month after the incident was first reported, Imperial Oil has confirmed that the produced water line that spilled in Norman Wells, N.W.T. is underneath the Mackenzie River. Cabin Radio first reported the leak's location. Imperial Oil said the cause of the leak is still being determined and that results from water sampling indicate there is no risk to public health or freshwater aquatic life downstream. In early August, residents in Fort Good Hope reported a fuel-like sheen and other surface contaminants spotted on the surface of the Mackenzie River.

16 days later, Imperial Oil still investigating if Norman Wells spill entered Mackenzie River

16 days later, Imperial Oil still investigating if Norman Wells spill entered Mackenzie River

Imperial Oil is still investigating whether produced water that spilled at the Norman Wells, N.W.T. operation in late July has entered the Mackenzie River. A spokesperson for Imperial Oil said in an email that the company is monitoring the water quality and there are no indications there is a risk to public health. This comes after people downriver in Fort Good Hope reported surface contaminants on the water.

Imperial Oil still investigating cause of produced water spill in N.W.T.

Imperial Oil still investigating cause of produced water spill in N.W.T.

Imperial Oil Ltd. says it is still investigating the cause and impact of a pipeline spill in the Northwest Territories that has some residents downstream concerned about the potential impact. The Calgary-based oil and gas company reported on July 27 that it discovered about 55,000 litres of produced water had spilled before it shut down the pipeline in Norman Wells, N.W.T.

Follow us